What is true concerning visual approaches in the US National Airspace System?

Visual approaches are an important aspect of flight operations in the US National Airspace System, allowing aircraft to descend visually to the airport rather than relying solely on instrument approaches. For visual approaches to be executed safely and effectively, the aircraft must remain under the control of the appropriate air traffic control (ATC) facility.

This control ensures that the aircraft is sequenced properly with other traffic in the area and is provided with necessary instructions to maintain safety and efficiency. While pilots often initiate visual approaches when they have the airport in sight, ATC must still maintain oversight for separation from other aircraft, adherence to traffic patterns, and compliance with any additional instructions specific to the approach.

Given this context, it's essential to understand that although visual approaches allow for a certain degree of flexibility, they cannot exceed the operational parameters set by ATC. This makes the aspect of maintaining control under ATC a crucial requirement for flight safety in the airspace system.

Other options may present misunderstandings about the procedures or regulations governing visual approaches, such as potential misconceptions around the need for ATC clearance or altering altitude requirements. However, being under the guidance of ATC remains an unwavering necessity for all visual approaches within the national airspace framework.