Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Practice Exam 2026 – The All-in-One Guide to Master Your IFR Certification!

A surveillance approach can specifically be utilized at airports for which civil radar instrument approach minimums have been published. This means that the airport has established the necessary criteria and operational standards for pilots to conduct a surveillance approach safely using radar assistance.

The importance of published radar instrument approach minimums lies in ensuring that pilots have the requisite height and visibility criteria to execute the approach successfully while relying on radar information from air traffic control. When these minimums are published, they provide pilots with confidence that the approach can be completed safely according to the regulatory and operational guidelines set forth.

While other choices may seem plausible, they do not accurately capture the specific requirements for conducting a surveillance approach. For instance, having approach control or general radar service isn't sufficient; airports must have specifically published minimums to clear the way for this type of approach. Additionally, while larger airports may often have published radar approaches, smaller airports can also have them if they meet the necessary criteria. Thus, the focus on published minimums as a requirement for a surveillance approach is what makes this the correct answer.