Date: 201908
Local time of day: 0001-0600
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Medium Large Transport
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Initial Approach
Airspace: Class E ZZZ
ATC / advisory: Center ZZZ
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Contributing factors: Company Policy; Human Factors; Procedure
Primary problem: Procedure

Narrative: On a company scheduled airport familiarization/line check; I was the Pilot Flying on an approach into ZZZ. It was a VFR day; and the ILS/localizer approach to Runway XX was out of service. Winds were out of the north; and aircraft were landing Runway XY. Approaching from the south; we anticipated being cleared for a visual approach; as we had no authorized instrument approach to Runway XY. Crossing over the VOR; the Check Airman was communicating with Center; who asked us if we had the airport in sight. We told them we did; and I believed they cleared us for the approach to Runway XY; followed with instructions to contact [the] FSS. I disconnected the autopilot and began maneuvering the aircraft under visual conditions to land on Runway XY. Once we switched frequencies to the FSS; they instructed us to climb to 6;000 ft. and contact Center. Without an assigned course; I turned toward the airport; and overflew it climbing to 6;000 ft.; roughly on a course of 290 degrees. We contacted Center; who told us they had been expecting us to cross a particular fix on the RNAV Approach to Runway XY; and when we did not; they contacted the FSS with climb instructions. We then communicated with Center; who again asked us if we had the airport in sight. We told them we did; and we were then cleared for the visual approach to Runway XY. Again we were instructed to contact the FSS; who provided traffic advisories; and we made a normal visual approach and landing.Lack of clear communication of our expectations and intentions with Center. I believe we misunderstood the approach clearance as a visual approach clearance; when it is possible it was that it was an RNAV approach clearance instead. Contributing factors are lack of airport and approach familiarization; unclear communication; lack of authorized approach resources to Runway XY. In this case; canceling IFR would have been the simple solution; as we were under visual conditions; with the airport in sight. I think when we were asked by Center if we had the airport in sight that may have provided a misinterpreted cue that we were being cleared for a visual approach; when it may be possible that we were not. Better familiarization with airport procedures and ATC protocols for this airport would help. Furthermore; as we have an RNAV approach for Runway XY available in the FMS; gaining authorization for the approach and being supplied with approach plates to the approach would be of great help.




Synopsis: Air Carrier Captain reported miscommunication with ATC which resulted in a missed approach.