To fly in VFR conditions, the pilot needs to be able to see the horizon, the ground, and to stay out of the clouds. There are specific cloud clearances and visual distances that must be maintained in VFR.
Well, as most of you under the FARs are aware—not to say used to—in the United States it is perfectly legal to fly VFR without any visual contact with the ground. As long as you maintain the minimum VFR requirements regarding visibility and cloud clearances, you are good to go—all you need is a natural horizon.
To complete a safe landing, pilots must be able to see the runway at a specific decision height (DH) above the ground. A minimum horizontal visibility is also specified, called the Runway Visual Range, or RVR.
(a) No person may operate an airplane under VFR in uncontrolled airspace when the ceiling is less than 1,000 feet unless flight visibility is at least 2 miles. (2) At night—1 mile.
Visual Flight Rules simply means that the aircraft is intended to operate in visual meteorological conditions (VMC, i.e. nice and clear weather). Clouds, heavy precipitation, low visibility, and otherwise adverse weather conditions should be avoided under VFR.
VFR flight is based on the principle of “see and avoid.” The presumption made in establishing the basic VFR weather minimums is that aircraft flying at lower altitudes (i.e., below 10,000 MSL) and/or in airspace with radar approach control and/or an operating control tower (i.e., Class B, C, and D airspace) will be ...
Cloudy days, low visibility, extra fog — any adverse weather conditions should be avoided under VFR to ensure safety when operating an aircraft.
VFR‐ON‐TOP CRUISING LEVELS FOR YOUR DIRECTION OF FLIGHT ARE: more than 3,000 feet above the surface to FL 180: ODD/EVEN ALTITUDES/FLIGHT LEVELS PLUS FIVE HUNDRED FEET.
Prudent pilots typically set higher weather minimums for night VFR flights. FAR 91.157—In order to get a Special VFR clearance at night, you must have an instrument rating, an instrument-equipped airplane, 1 mile visibility, be able to remain clear of clouds, and a Special VFR clearance from air traffic control.
An instrument landing system helps pilots
“With the help of our instrument landing system, or ILS, aircraft can land safely in poor visibility,” Isomaa says. Most Finavia airports use an ILS. The system includes a glidepath antenna and localiser beam.
Provided the airport is equipped with Instrument landing system category IIIC (CAT IIIc) technology, that the aircraft is equipped with an instrument approach capability and the pilot knows how to use it, then an aircraft could land on a runway with zero visibility.
Since the minimum visibility needed for a manual landing is 550 meters (approx. 1,800 feet), pilots must rely on autopilot for the landing, according to Flight Deck Friend.
A visual flight rules (VFR) aircraft on a long, straight-in approach for landing never enters the traffic pattern unless performing a go-around or touch and go after landing (see paragraph 9.5).
The only regulatory restriction is that student pilots are not allowed to fly above a cloud layer without ground reference. VFR over-the-top can be a very useful tool to get above a cloud layer instead of flying in haze or restricted visibility below the clouds.
Can most airplanes be flown without certain lights? Sure. Landing lights aren't required, but they're a good idea. The beacon, strobes, and position lights are a different story.
To fly VFR, a pilot needs to see the horizon and use other visual cues to reliably maintain straight-level flight. Because rain affects visibility it can make VFR pilots uncomfortable even when the conditions are still VFR-legal.
(1) For day operations—1,000-foot ceiling and one-mile visibility. (2) For night operations—1,000-foot ceiling and two-mile visibility.
First things first: it's ONLY for pilots operating under an IFR flight plan. VFR-On-Top is a request to fly at a VFR altitudes in lieu of an assigned altitude. You must ask permission from ATC to operate VFR-On-Top.
A VFR flight plan and VFR flight fol- lowing are excellent practices for night VFR. If the flight takes place above 5,000 MSL, remind the pilot that oxygen can help night vision. 4. Descent/Approach: Be sure that the pilot understands the destination airport's runway layout and lighting.
One of the most popular two-seat flight training airplanes, the Cessna 152, is what will help you here. We'll shorten the visibility of 3 SM to “3” and write cloud clearances of 1,000 feet above (A), 500 feet below (B), and 2,000 feet horizontal (H) as ABH or “152.” So, “3, 152's” is your final mnemonic to memorize.
Flight Visibility- The visibility forward from the cockpit of an aircraft in flight. Ground Visibility- The visibility at an aerodrome as reported by an accredited observer.
John: “A Special VFR Clearance is an ATC authorization for a VFR aircraft to operate in weather that is less than the basic VFR minima. Basic VFR minima are 1,000-foot ceiling and 3 miles visibility. If the reported weather is less, a pilot can request a Special VFR Clearance.
You can contact Flight Service and give them your request. They will then forward it to ATC and come back with an answer. Remember, Special VFR should not be used as an excuse to scud run—it's up to the pilot to exercise good judgment.