A pilot cleared for an instrument approach must complete the approach unless

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Multiple Choice

A pilot cleared for an instrument approach must complete the approach unless

When you’re cleared for an instrument approach, you’re operating under an IFR clearance and are expected to fly that approach to a landing using instrument references. You only stop needing to fly the instrument approach if you explicitly terminate the IFR clearance. The way to do that is to cancel IFR with ATC, which releases you to operate under VFR and finish the flight without performing the instrument procedure. Receiving another clearance, such as a contact approach or a visual approach, does not automatically terminate your IFR status, so you would still be bound by IFR requirements unless you cancel. Likewise, the weather turning VFR does not by itself cancel IFR—you would need to cancel IFR to switch to VFR flight rules. That’s why the option signaling cancellation of IFR is the valid reason to avoid completing the instrument approach.

When you’re cleared for an instrument approach, you’re operating under an IFR clearance and are expected to fly that approach to a landing using instrument references. You only stop needing to fly the instrument approach if you explicitly terminate the IFR clearance. The way to do that is to cancel IFR with ATC, which releases you to operate under VFR and finish the flight without performing the instrument procedure.

Receiving another clearance, such as a contact approach or a visual approach, does not automatically terminate your IFR status, so you would still be bound by IFR requirements unless you cancel. Likewise, the weather turning VFR does not by itself cancel IFR—you would need to cancel IFR to switch to VFR flight rules. That’s why the option signaling cancellation of IFR is the valid reason to avoid completing the instrument approach.

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