Special visual flight rules
Encyclopedia
Special visual flight rules (Special VFR, SVFR) are a set of aviation
regulations under which a pilot
may operate an aircraft
. It's a special case of operating under visual flight rules
(VFR).
, SVFR operations can only be conducted in the controlled airspace
around an airport
where that controlled airspace extends down to the surface (so-called surface area). SVFR can only be conducted below 10,000 feet MSL in such areas.
SVFR at night requires an IFR-equipped aircraft and an IFR-rated pilot in command. In helicopters, there is no minimum flight visibility requirement, or a requirement for an IFR-equipped aircraft or an IFR-rated pilot in command.
s, and always requires clearance from air traffic control
(ATC). It usually happens under two circumstances:
An example of the use of SVFR is when a flight wishes to leave an airport in a control zone, to fly VFR in uncontrolled airspace
, when the visibility is below the minimum for VFR flight in the control zone but not below the lower minimum for VFR flight in uncontrolled airspace.
Aviation
Aviation is the design, development, production, operation, and use of aircraft, especially heavier-than-air aircraft. Aviation is derived from avis, the Latin word for bird.-History:...
regulations under which a pilot
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
may operate an aircraft
Aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
. It's a special case of operating under visual flight rules
Visual flight rules
Visual flight rules are a set of regulations which allow a pilot to operate an aircraft in weather conditions generally clear enough to allow the pilot to see where the aircraft is going. Specifically, the weather must be better than basic VFR weather minimums, as specified in the rules of the...
(VFR).
Use in different regions
The definition for SVFR may be different in different countries, depending on the local aviation regulations.ICAO definition
ICAO Definition of Special VFR (Ref Annex 2) Special VFR flight is a VFR flight cleared by air traffic control to operate within a control zone in meteorological conditions below VMCUnited States
According to Federal Aviation RegulationsFederal Aviation Regulations
The Federal Aviation Regulations, or FARs, are rules prescribed by the Federal Aviation Administration governing all aviation activities in the United States. The FARs are part of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations...
, SVFR operations can only be conducted in the controlled airspace
Controlled airspace
Controlled airspace is an aviation term used to describe airspace in which ATChas the authority to control air traffic, the level of which varies with the different classes of airspace. Controlled airspace is established mainly for three different reasons:...
around an airport
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
where that controlled airspace extends down to the surface (so-called surface area). SVFR can only be conducted below 10,000 feet MSL in such areas.
SVFR at night requires an IFR-equipped aircraft and an IFR-rated pilot in command. In helicopters, there is no minimum flight visibility requirement, or a requirement for an IFR-equipped aircraft or an IFR-rated pilot in command.
Other countries
Flight under SVFR is only allowed in control zoneControl zone
A control zone is an aviation term that describes a volume of controlled airspace, normally around an airport, which extends from the surface to a specified upper limit, established to protect air traffic operating to and from that airport...
s, and always requires clearance from air traffic control
Air traffic control
Air traffic control is a service provided by ground-based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and in the air. The primary purpose of ATC systems worldwide is to separate aircraft to prevent collisions, to organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and to provide information and other...
(ATC). It usually happens under two circumstances:
- In Class A airspace, flight under visual flight rulesVisual flight rulesVisual flight rules are a set of regulations which allow a pilot to operate an aircraft in weather conditions generally clear enough to allow the pilot to see where the aircraft is going. Specifically, the weather must be better than basic VFR weather minimums, as specified in the rules of the...
(VFR) is not permitted and instrument flight rulesInstrument flight rulesInstrument flight rules are one of two sets of regulations governing all aspects of civil aviation aircraft operations; the other are visual flight rules ....
(IFR) flight is the norm. Pilots may, as an alternative to IFR, request an SVFR clearance to enter the airspace and fly visually. They need to be equipped with a transponder. - In other controlled airspaceControlled airspaceControlled airspace is an aviation term used to describe airspace in which ATChas the authority to control air traffic, the level of which varies with the different classes of airspace. Controlled airspace is established mainly for three different reasons:...
, when the local weather is less than the minimums required for flight under visual flight rulesVisual flight rulesVisual flight rules are a set of regulations which allow a pilot to operate an aircraft in weather conditions generally clear enough to allow the pilot to see where the aircraft is going. Specifically, the weather must be better than basic VFR weather minimums, as specified in the rules of the...
(VFR) and again IFR would be the norm. Pilots may again as an alternative to IFR request an SVFR clearance to enter the airspace and fly visually.
Equipment requirements and weather minima
The aircraft need not necessarily be equipped for flight under IFR, and the aircraft must remain clear of clouds and maintain certain flight visibility minimums (1,850 metres according to ICAO, one statute mile in the US, 1,500 m visibility, in sight of surface and clear of cloud in Europe). The pilot continues to be responsible for obstacle and terrain clearance.An example of the use of SVFR is when a flight wishes to leave an airport in a control zone, to fly VFR in uncontrolled airspace
Uncontrolled airspace
Uncontrolled airspace is airspace where an Air Traffic Control service is not deemed necessary or cannot be provided for practical reasons. According to the airspace classes set by ICAO both class F and class G airspace are uncontrolled...
, when the visibility is below the minimum for VFR flight in the control zone but not below the lower minimum for VFR flight in uncontrolled airspace.