A corporate flight crew began a visual approach descent without clearance from ZTL because they hear...

Narrative:

Enroute from ZZZ; I was the pilot flying from the left seat; the chief pilot was in the right seat and working the radios. Near foothills (odf) VOR; atlanta center asked what kind of approach we would like. We replied the visual; and were told to expect the visual and report the airport in site. We were then cleared to descend to 7;300 feet. The IAF is dayel intersection at or above 7;000 feet (16.3 miles from the airport.) I had planned to remain at 7;300 feet until 4.5 miles from jasvu intersection (9.7 miles from the airport and 3680 feet above minimums.) as it came time to descend I request the chief pilot to set the altitude select for 5;700 feet for the jasvu crossing; he complied; and we started down. The airport was in sight. We were VMC but still on the IFR flight plan; after descending 300-500 feet; I had it in my mind we were already cleared for the visual approach and I asked the chief pilot if we were. About that time center said; I see you have started descent and we replied that we had and canceled the IFR flight plan. We did not report the airport in sight; and apparently were not yet cleared for the visual. The close proximity to the airport; the need to start down; being in VMC and having heard 'expect the visual;' prompted me to start down; thinking that we had been cleared for the visual. The chief pilot didn't catch it either until I questioned him. There was no traffic conflict or separation loss. The center did not mention any deviation. Although the proper crew co-ordination is for the pilot not flying to handle and talk on the radios; I have always found that if I talk on the radios as the pilot flying; it is easier to stay 'in the loop' on what is going on. Lesson learned is basic; if in doubt ask.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A corporate flight crew began a visual approach descent without clearance from ZTL because they heard 'Expect the Visual' and began a descent when they felt they would have normally.

Narrative: Enroute from ZZZ; I was the pilot flying from the left seat; the Chief Pilot was in the right seat and working the radios. Near Foothills (ODF) VOR; Atlanta Center asked what kind of approach we would like. We replied the visual; and were told to expect the visual and report the airport in site. We were then cleared to descend to 7;300 feet. The IAF is DAYEL intersection at or above 7;000 feet (16.3 miles from the airport.) I had planned to remain at 7;300 feet until 4.5 miles from JASVU intersection (9.7 miles from the airport and 3680 feet above minimums.) As it came time to descend I request the Chief Pilot to set the Altitude Select for 5;700 feet for the JASVU crossing; he complied; and we started down. The airport was in sight. We were VMC but still on the IFR flight plan; after descending 300-500 feet; I had it in my mind we were already cleared for the visual approach and I asked the Chief Pilot if we were. About that time Center said; I see you have started descent and we replied that we had and canceled the IFR flight plan. We did not report the airport in sight; and apparently were not yet cleared for the visual. The close proximity to the airport; the need to start down; being in VMC and having heard 'expect the visual;' prompted me to start down; thinking that we had been cleared for the Visual. The Chief pilot didn't catch it either until I questioned him. There was no traffic conflict or separation loss. The Center did not mention any deviation. Although the proper crew co-ordination is for the pilot not flying to handle and talk on the radios; I have always found that if I talk on the radios as the pilot flying; it is easier to stay 'in the loop' on what is going on. Lesson learned is basic; if in doubt ask.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1090277
Time
Date	201305
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ZTL.ARTCC
State Reference	GA
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Citation V/Ultra/Encore (C560)
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Initial Approach
Route In Use	Visual Approach
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 64 Flight Crew Total 8265 Flight Crew Type 1028
Events
Anomaly	Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude Deviation - Procedural Clearance

A corporate flight crew began a visual approach descent without clearance from ZTL because they heard 'expect the visual' and began a descent when they felt they would have normally.