Visual flight

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Visual flight is the control of an aircraft by using the view from the aircraft as the primary reference point. A pilot observes the outside world and uses the flight controls to take the aircraft safely to the place they want to go. The alternative is to fly the aircraft primarily using feedback from onboard instruments such as an artificial horizon.

Except in the simplest aircraft, such as ultralight aircraft, hang gliders or balloons, a pilot almost always makes some reference to instruments to determine their exact speed or altitude. A complex aircraft, such as a military jet or an airliner is flown almost exclusively by reference to instruments.

As well as flying the aircraft, a pilot is also expected to avoid other aerial traffic. It is easier to watch for other traffic when using visual flight, since the pilot is looking mainly outside the aircraft. When using instrument flight a pilot is usually in contact with an air traffic control facility, which ensures that other aircraft are avoided.

The primary visual reference used is usually the appearance of the natural horizon or the ratio of visible sky to ground, when the pilot is looking straight ahead.

Different kinds of aircraft are controlled in very different ways, whether in visual or instrument flight. For an article on visual flight as it relates to airplanes, and to a great extent gliders and hang gliders, see visual flight (airplanes).