AIM Text
- Pilot.
- Acceptance of instructions to follow another aircraft or to provide visual separation from it is an acknowledgment that the pilot will maneuver the aircraft as necessary to avoid the other aircraft or to maintain in‐trail separation. Pilots are responsible to maintain visual separation until flight paths (altitudes and/or courses) diverge.
- If instructed by ATC to follow another aircraft or to provide visual separation from it, promptly notify the controller if you lose sight of that aircraft, are unable to maintain continued visual contact with it, or cannot accept the responsibility for your own separation for any reason.
- The pilot also accepts responsibility for wake turbulence separation under these conditions.
- Controller. Applies visual separation only:
- Within the terminal area when a controller has both aircraft in sight or by instructing a pilot who sees the other aircraft to maintain visual separation from it.
- Pilots are responsible to maintain visual separation until flight paths (altitudes and/or courses) diverge.
- Within en route airspace when aircraft are on opposite courses and one pilot reports having seen the other aircraft and that the aircraft have passed each other.
Source: FAA Aeronautical Information Manual · current edition · paragraph 5-5-12.
The short answer
This AIM section is FAA advisory guidance on Visual Separation. Accepting instructions to follow another aircraft or provide visual separation acknowledges the pilot will maneuver to avoid it and maintain in-trail separation until flight paths diverge. The pilot also accepts wake turbulence separation responsibility, and the source describes when controllers may apply visual separation in terminal and en route airspace.
Research Notes
Common Questions
Who is responsible for wake turbulence when accepting visual separation?
The pilot. Per this AIM section, when instructed to follow another aircraft or provide visual separation from it, the pilot also accepts responsibility for wake turbulence separation under these conditions.
What must a pilot do if they lose sight of the aircraft they are following?
The AIM directs pilots to promptly notify the controller if they lose sight of that aircraft, are unable to maintain continued visual contact with it, or cannot accept responsibility for their own separation for any reason. Visual separation is maintained until flight paths — altitudes and/or courses — diverge.
When can a controller apply visual separation in en route airspace?
Per the source, within en route airspace visual separation applies when aircraft are on opposite courses and one pilot reports having seen the other aircraft and that the aircraft have passed each other. In the terminal area, it applies when a controller has both aircraft in sight or instructs a pilot who sees the other to maintain visual separation.