Originally Posted by
TonyC
Aeronautical Information Manual:
5−5−3. Contact Approach
a. Pilot.
2. By requesting the contact approach, indicates
that the flight is operating clear of clouds,
From the description in the original post, the pilot is not clear of clouds (level at 7,000' with clear below 6,500'), and that's why he's trying to get lower.
.
He said he had the airport in sight , the nearby terrain in sight so obviously he was vmc, but wanted to descend below the bases of clouds at his altitude surrounding him.
He could cancel ifr as long as he can maintain vfr requirements from then on.
It's easier to cancel then fly a contact approach, but he could do that but why ? might as well request a visual approach since their are no visibility issues. If he wants that descent right away to prevent entering back into clouds he's gotta cancel or get the approach clearance promptly. Easier on the controller to just cancel.