vmc dilemma

[alpergokgoz]

if mea is fl250 for an airway and msa for that tma is 9000 feet and pilot says we have vmc conditions request descent 9000 feet can it be given ? it is the only one aircraft and cavok .there is no airspace classification and no radar service for that airport:):):)

[ray cosmic]

Going into Bergamo, coming from the Alps we often got clearances in the spirit of "descent FL100, maintain ground contact", or "maintain own seperation with terrrain"

[adverse-bump]

just because you leave an airway, does not mean you must change VFR. you can be IFR in non controlled airspace. you can also be IFR in VMC.

[GlueBall]

In the USA and in many other countries you cannot operate under VFR [Visual Flight Rules] at and above, example, FL180, etc...

[calypso]

Broadly speaking this is how it works (I think):

When flying IFR you can always descend to the MSA if authorized to do so.

VMC or IMC makes no difference. Unless you have to descent below the MSA. You can still be cleared to descent below the MSA if under radar (to the radar minimum), if you have contact with the terrain (VMC) or as part of a published approach procedure.

Radar or not makes no difference. Many airports and sectors have no radar. You will however be responsible for your own terrain separation.

Airway or off airway makes no difference. Many airports are not served by airways.

Class of airspace makes no difference. But who knows what uncontroled traffic you may encounter? You will be responsible for your own separation with other unknown VFR traffic.

[Spitoon]

just because you leave an airway, does not mean you must change VFR. you can be IFR in non controlled airspace. you can also be IFR in VMC.This is not the case in every State by any means!

[cavortingcheetah]

:hmm:

That radio 'clearance' into Bergamo sounds pretty scrappy actually and it was quite unnerving the first time it happened. But is it not true to say that Bergamo itself has no radar coverage. Radar is provided by Milan, Malpensa, and the service is advisory at best? One certainly had to do one's own thing on that strange DME arc approach on to the westerly runway. One remembers once when some dare devil pilot in a DO 328 decided to max speed the left hand base/finals turn whilst in IMC. A very definite and dangerous example of the increase of radius of turn with increase of speed, especially when the beautiful alps are slap bang in front of you.:uhoh: :\