Special visual flight rules
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Special visual flight rules (SVFR) are a set of aviation regulations under which a pilot may operate an aircraft. A pilot can request an SVFR clearance from air traffic control to operate within a surface area in controlled airspace when the local weather is less than the minimums required for flight under visual flight rules. Like flight under instrument flight rules, air traffic control will provide separation from other aircraft; unlike IFR flight, the pilot does not require an instrument rating (for daytime SVFR flight) and the aircraft must remain clear of clouds and must maintain at least one mile of flight visibility. The pilot continues to be responsible for obstacle and terrain clearance.
SVFR clearances only apply within surface areas (ICAO: CTRs); once the aircraft leaves the surface area, the flight reverts to visual flight rules and weather requirements.
An example of a use for special visual flight rules would be ground fog or mist obscuring the ground visibility at a controlled airport while visual meteorological conditions exist above, or at to fly visually at night in control zones in countries that do not allow VFR night flight.
In the United States, special visual flight rules in night conditions can only be used when the pilot is instrument-rated and the aircraft is approved for flight under instrument flight rules. In the United Kingdom, a pilot needs a Night Qualification to fly SVFR at night - see Night flight in the UK.
See also
External links
- [Legal Requirements for SVFR in the United States]
- [Aeronautical Information Manual]
- [FAA 7110.65 (Air Traffic Control)]
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