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TFaudree_ERAU · November 20th, 2006, 13:04

VMC or VFR?
If VFR, just tell em you're starting the descent. They'll say "roger".
If IFR, just ask for lower, and if you think it is because of minimum vectoring altitudes, tell them you can maintain your own terrain clearance.
Also, if you're IFR and cleared for the visual approach, that gives you an automatic authority to descend at your discretion. That is, unless they give you an explicit instruction to maintain an altitude until a certain point. For example, when landing south at MCO, they will clear a flight for a visual approach, but instruct them to maintain at or above 2,500 or 3,000 (can't remember exactly) until south of the ORL VOR.

November 20th, 2006, 13:04	#4
TFaudree_ERAU Old Skool Join Date: May 2006 Location: Virginia is for Lovers, yacht chasing on the weekends Posts: 1,844	Re: Altitude and Class C. VMC or VFR? If VFR, just tell em you're starting the descent. They'll say "roger". If IFR, just ask for lower, and if you think it is because of minimum vectoring altitudes, tell them you can maintain your own terrain clearance. Also, if you're IFR and cleared for the visual approach, that gives you an automatic authority to descend at your discretion. That is, unless they give you an explicit instruction to maintain an altitude until a certain point. For example, when landing south at MCO, they will clear a flight for a visual approach, but instruct them to maintain at or above 2,500 or 3,000 (can't remember exactly) until south of the ORL VOR.