What should a pilot do after being cleared for ILS runway 36L approach with a sidestep to runway 36R?

The correct action a pilot should take after being cleared for an ILS approach to runway 36L with a sidestep to runway 36R is to begin the sidestep maneuver once runway 36R is visible. This is because the sidestep maneuver is designed to facilitate a safe transition from one runway to the other while maintaining situational awareness.

The approach procedure allows the pilot to visually acquire runway 36R before executing the sidestep. Visibility of the runway is essential, as it ensures that the pilot can safely navigate to the new runway heading and align for landing without unnecessary risk. Thus, once the pilot confirms that runway 36R is in sight, they can maneuver accordingly to complete the approach safely.

Other options suggest actions that do not align with standard approach procedures. For instance, maintaining altitude until cleared for descent does not leverage the visual confirmation process effectively and could delay the landing sequence unnecessarily. Similarly, immediately descending to a lower altitude without visual confirmation could lead to unsafe flight dynamics or misalignment with the approach criteria. Requesting confirmation of visibility might also unnecessarily prolong the approach process when the pilot could simply begin the visual maneuver upon sighting the runway.