Independent Visual Approaches, or IVAs, are an internationally recognised procedure utilised at airports with parallel runways spaced closely together, to facilitate parallel visual approaches. This procedure is used routinely at Sydney Airport to facilitate parallel visual approaches on runways 16L/16R, and 34L/34R.
IVAs are routinely used at Sydney Airport, and are the preferred approach type for runways 16L/16R and 34L/34R.
IVAs are not used at any other airports within the XO region.
To understand IVAs, it's first important to understand the difference between dependent and independent parallel approaches.
'Independent parallel approaches' allow two parallel runways to operate independently of each other. In other words, approaches to one runway are deemed separated from approaches to the parallel runway.
'Dependent parallel approaches' are approaches to parallel runways which depend on each other for separation, in other words aircraft to both runways must be separated from each other.
IVAs allow approaches to be conducted independently, as per the criteria below.
| Cloud Base | Visibility | Expected Approach |
|---|---|---|
| 3000ft+ | 5000m+ | IVA |
| 2000-3000ft | 5000m+ | IAP then IVA when visual |
| -2000ft | -5000m | IAP |
Aircraft can generally expect arrival via a STAR. All STARs require vectoring onto final approach. Pilots are required to report visual AND runway in sight as soon as possible with Director if online, or Approach is Director is not online. From the STAR, they will then receive vectors to join final for the assigned runway, this vector shall not exceed 30 degrees. The phraseology of controllers is fundamental here, as aircraft will be instructed to join final. In no circumstances should an aircraft pass through the assigned runway centreline! ATC will ensure separation is provided either horizontally or vertically until cleared for the IVA. Traffic information will be provided if another aircraft is within 1NM on the adjacent approach.
Day:
"QFA123 turn left/right heading xxx, join final runway xxL/R, from that heading cleared independent visual approach."
Night:
"QFA123 turn left/right heading xxx, join final runway xxL/R, from that heading cleared independent visual approach, not below (altitude) until established on the PAPI or glidepath."
Aircraft may conduct an instrument approach, then IVA when visual, when meteorological conditions require. As soon as both aircraft are established on the localiser and report visual, the approaches are considered independent.
Alternatively, if one aircraft is established on the localiser and reports visual, and another aircraft established on a heading to intecept final for the parallel runway reports runway in sight, the approaches are considerent independent.
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