[BobDDuck]

Here's the situation...

Heading into AVL tonight, we were slowed down to 250 about 60 miles from the airport because we were going to be number 2 and tower had closed. Number one was a Freedom 145 who eventually said they had the field in sight (it was clear and a million) and were cleared for a visual approach into Asheville. Atlanta then told us to keep heading towards the field as they expected a cancellation from Freedom as soon as the touched down. From where we were we could clearly see both the airport and the 145 flying a left traffic pattern into the airport.

(and by the way... Freedom, when you call up on CTAF and say you are flying a "tight left downwind" and then call up that you are "short final" you'd better be closer then 7 miles from the runway next time)

We were still stuck at 8000 feet and only about 10 miles from the airport so I asked center if we could head south on an instrument downwind until Freedom canceled and we could start the approach. He then asked if we had the other plane in sight (which we did) and then told us to maintain visual separation and that we were cleared for a visual approach and to report canceling IFR with him or FSS.

Here's my question... How can he do that? He had to IFR airplanes heading into a uncontrolled field, both still on IFR flight plans. I'm assuming the burden of responsibility is lifted off him and on to us as soon as we accepted the "maintain visual separation" clearance. But ether way, I didn't know it was possible to do that.