I have loaded an IFR flight plan KMDT - KBOS. Flew the flight. At KBOS the winds were 050 so runway 4 was selected.I was expecting Runway 4R since it has an ILS approach and my Flight Plan was IFR, however I was given 4L, a visual approach.Barry

From the Aim:A visual approach is conducted on an IFR flight plan and authorizes a pilot to proceed visually and clear of clouds to the airport. The pilot must have either the airport or the preceding identified aircraft in sight. This approach must be authorized and controlled by the appropriate air traffic control facility. Reported weather at the airport must have a ceiling at or above 1000 feet and visibility 3 miles or greater. ATC may authorize this type approach when it will be operationally beneficial. Visual approaches are an IFR procedure conducted under IFR in visual meteorological conditions.I think the operative phrase among many is "Atc may authorize this type approach when it will be operationally beneficial"-e.g. faster!I find on a lot of ifr flights if the conditions warrent it this is actually more the norm-at least where I fly.I assume you had probably the above conditions (1000 and 3) when you were landing....http://mywebpages.comcast.net/geofa/pages/rxp-pilot.jpg