The change you are thinking of was a Licensing change, and was the dropping, for JAA/EASA Licences, of the CAA requirement for PPL holders without Instrument Qualifications to maintain sight of the surface under all circumstances, and a minimum of 3km viz, regardless of the less stringent requirements for maintaining VFR.
The requirements for maintaining VFR have not changed:
VFR flight outside Controlled Airspace (Classes F and G Airspace)
Below FL 100
5 km flight visibility
1500m horizontally from cloud
1000ft vertically from cloud
At or below 3000ft
As per below FL 100
.or
.
Fixed wing aircraft: 5 km flight visibility; Clear of cloud and in
sight of the surface.
For fixed wing aircraft operating at 140kt or less: 1500 m flight visibility; Clear of cloud and in sight of the surface.
If You want to take advantage of the reduced viz requirement of 1500m, and not have to maintain 1000' from cloud, then you have to be below 3000', below 140kt, and
in sight of the surface.
MJ
Ps.
Shouldn't that be 'with the surface in sight'? Or does 'the surface' have eyes
?
Talkdownman: I'm sure you are right. You could always ask all those people around airfields who constantly complain if the surface has eyes.
MJ