USAF Instrument Practice Exam

The pilot is responsible for requesting a high altitude approach when it is not desired. This responsibility stems from the fact that the pilot maintains overall command of the aircraft and is tasked with ensuring that procedural compliance aligns with the operational needs of the flight.

While air traffic control (ATC) can suggest or request specific approaches based on traffic flow and safety considerations, it is ultimately the pilot who acknowledges and decides to accept or request a change if the high altitude approach does not fit the flight plan or operational strategy. The pilot's authority encompasses not merely following directions from ATC but actively engaging in communications that prioritize flight safety and efficiency.

In this context, while other roles such as co-pilots and flight engineers support the pilot through various functions, it is the pilot's responsibility to make decisions regarding the flight's navigation and approach, including the request for high altitude approaches when they are not desirable.