Cleared for the visual.....or not?

[Old Dominion Flyer]

We're approximately 15nm out nearly straight in for the visual at xyz.

Me: Airport in sight, N123AB.
Approach: Cleared for the visual approach runway 6, but maintain 3000 until advised. Traffic is 2 o'clock, 1,000 below, traveling west to east.
Me: Cleared visual 6, maintaining 3000 until advised. Negative contact on that traffic.
Me: Do you want me to join the localizer and maintain 3000, or fly a heading and maintain 3000?
Approach: No, just proceed visually to the airport and maintain 3000 until advised.
Me: Proceeding visually at 3000 until advised. Traffic in sight.
Approach: Switch to tower 123.45.

Me: Tower, N123AB 10 miles southwest, cleared visual runway 6 but told to maintain 3000 until advised.
Tower: Cleared visual approach runway 6, cleared to land runway 6.

I think the controller wanted me to maintain altitude to avoid a traffic conflict. However, the instruction seemed unique. I've been in that same situation countless times before and I been vectored to avoid, or told to maintain visual separation once traffic is in sight, or to join the localizer and maintain and altitude. That's the first time I've been cleared for a visual approach with such a caveat. What's the standard procedure for that situation?

 

[BrewMaster]

It's weird that you were cleared for a visual with a stipulation. To me that isn't exactly "cleared for the visual," but whatever, you know what he meant and there really wasn't much to be confused about. Basically you were cleared to navigate laterally however you want to line up and land, just wait to descend until told to do so.

He should have provided a heading then cleared you, or told you to maintain visual separation and then give the carte blanche clearance.

 

[queeno]

its now wierd at all we do this at KMDW .its due to MDW controlling the VFRs in class C at and below 2000 and C90 controlling the IFRs at 2500 and above untill they enter the inner ring of the class C where the tower will seperate both.

 

[genot]

We clear for the visual with a stipulation about half the time we issue a visual at the main airport to keep arrivals out of low altitude's airspace. Nothing wrong with it. Its not much different than issuing a speed to maintain until X with a visual. I'll grant you that in that situation I'd likely withhold the visual until traffic is clear though and they certainly should have advised the 3,000 restriction was deleted prior to giving you over to tower.

 

[Old Dominion Flyer]

I appreciate the input. Now I wonder how I've made it this far in my flying career without receiving this instruction before. Oh well. I'll be better prepared next time.

 

[boondr]

We will do "Cleared Visual Approach Rwy XX, maintain at or above 3,000 until 10 DME" a lot because of noise abatement and/or VFR traffic but I have never used it for IFR separation.

 

[N519AT]

We will do "Cleared Visual Approach Rwy XX, maintain at or above 3,000 until 10 DME" a lot because of noise abatement and/or VFR traffic but I have never used it for IFR separation.

We get that a lot at CLE. I believe it's for noise abatement as well.


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[Corporate Pilot]

I get a lot going into KADS when they are using 15 and I am coming in from the SE. App will clear you for the visual and maintain 3000 until midfield left downwind or base depending on the controller. Most of the IFR departures on 15 at KADS are given left to 050 climb and maintain 2000. So it is for separation.

When you check in with the tower and they do not have an IFR departure they will cancel the 3000 part of it.

 

[OHPilot213]

We get that a lot at CLE. I believe it's for noise abatement as well.


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Pretty sure its to keep you within the lateral limits of the Class B, 6.5 DME at or above 3000, or 10 DME at or above 4000, are the 2 you get in CLE almost every day.

 

[Autothrust Blue]

In SoCal, visual approach clearances to Runway 8 at Burbank are usually issued with a restriction to cross the Van Nuys Airport at, or at or above, 3,000'. This is for separation with both pattern traffic and VNY departures. I don't think it's overly unique.