Why would you execute a published missed when you are on a visual approach? The tower always gives you instructions, usually runway heading to a certain altitude.

 

What about if there is no tower or it is closed? You better be flying some place safe, especially at night, and the published missed assures that.

 

Very articulate and relevant comment. Try flying a published missed for an approach you aren't on (no published missed for an uncharted visual right?) at kord and let me know how that works out. Perhaps you should reference AIM 5-4-23. Or go ask your airline's fed, or any fed for that matter, what the correct procedure is.

The reality is the tower will give you instructions, but they won't be to fly a published missed. Once they clear you for a visual they can't assign you a published missed for an ILS you are no longer flying when you changed approaches to the visual. I don't know why that's so difficult to understand. You are still under IFR (even when VMC on a visual), and are therefore expected to do what instrument procedures call for, and AIM 5-4-23 spells that out. That said, why would you bug an altitude that is no longer applicable?

 

Lost comm on a visual approach that resulted in a go-around...unlikely, but possible.

 

Some airports, such as PHX, have a set missed approach altitude for visuals.
Gotta do some reading in the plates to find it. I believe it is on the back of 10-9 but I don't have the plates in front of me.

 

This. I always use the published missed approach altitude and procedure for the IAP as a reference. Reference is the key here. If we are doing the visual and have to go around, the tower better have a plan...quickly. If no tower, I'm going back to approach or center...and they better have a plan as quick. Whether or not I'm going to play around in an unfamiliar pattern at that point depends on my comfort level with the airport, terrain, etc.

 

Interesting. When able, can you provide an image or chart index number?

 

Just looked at a bunch of plates for PHX and don't see one. There are ODP procedures on the 10-9a with altitudes and directions to fly, but not for missed approaches.

Also looked at some charted visuals (SFO and BUR) and under missed procedures it says none. Which would mean defer to the AIMs procedure, or as directed by tower at that point in my opinion. Doing a published missed for an ILS you aren't on anymore when cleared for a visual just doesn't make sense.

 

Haha this! Made my day

 

I think you guys are asking the wrong questions relative to this statement (above in quote).

The question, IMHO, should be...

What does ATC expect you to do in this scenario?

(Read: How will ATC be clearing airspace for you in B/C/D airspace?)

Obviously, uncontrolled is uncontrolled...you are on your own. But if you are on a cleared visual, lose comms, then have to go around for some reason...what is ATC going to expect you to do?

I think this has already been answered (and I know what I would do). Just curious to see if anyone would answer this differently.