Special VFR & Cloud Base
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Special VFR & Cloud Base
Dear All,
I have just one short question: Is there anywhere specified minima for cloud base for Special VFR (SVFR). Minimal visibility is specified but there is nothing about cloud base.
I will appreciate any links to see some operational requirements in any country.
Thank you in advance.
I have just one short question: Is there anywhere specified minima for cloud base for Special VFR (SVFR). Minimal visibility is specified but there is nothing about cloud base.
I will appreciate any links to see some operational requirements in any country.
Thank you in advance.
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Thanks. I found some values in Internet that the cloud base should be 600ft or above but also found clear of clouds as you mentioned. However I just want to confirm that the pilot is not allowed to depart for example when there is low visibility procedure in operatation at the airport ot when he is not able to maintane ground contact?!
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Crosspoint...
A low visibility take-off (LVTO - Low Visibility Take-Off) is a takeoff from a runway made with RVR less than 400 meters.
The low visibility take-offs are allowed only from airports, crews and equipment necessary to undertake operations in CAT II or CAT III, unless otherwise specified by the local airport authorities !!
Nothing to do with SVFR. You got it?
A low visibility take-off (LVTO - Low Visibility Take-Off) is a takeoff from a runway made with RVR less than 400 meters.
The low visibility take-offs are allowed only from airports, crews and equipment necessary to undertake operations in CAT II or CAT III, unless otherwise specified by the local airport authorities !!
Nothing to do with SVFR. You got it?
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SVFR
JAR-OPS 1.465 VFR Operating minima
(See Appendix 1 to JAR–OPS
1.465)
(a) An operator shall ensure that:
(1) VFR flights are conducted in
accordance with the Visual Flight Rules and in
accordance with the Table in Appendix 1 to
JAR–OPS 1.465.
(2) Special VFR flights are not
commenced when the visibility is less than 3 km
and not otherwise conducted when the visibility
is less than 1·5 km.
.. So you will not get a clearance to take off.
However, ICAO requires only 1500 meters to commence SVFR or enter a CTR as SVFR.
Can't find a online reference, sorry.
American FAR's require 1 Stat Mile, which complies more or less with ICAO:
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations:
(See Appendix 1 to JAR–OPS
1.465)
(a) An operator shall ensure that:
(1) VFR flights are conducted in
accordance with the Visual Flight Rules and in
accordance with the Table in Appendix 1 to
JAR–OPS 1.465.
(2) Special VFR flights are not
commenced when the visibility is less than 3 km
and not otherwise conducted when the visibility
is less than 1·5 km.
.. So you will not get a clearance to take off.
However, ICAO requires only 1500 meters to commence SVFR or enter a CTR as SVFR.
Can't find a online reference, sorry.
American FAR's require 1 Stat Mile, which complies more or less with ICAO:
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations:
Last edited by Da-20 monkey; 7th Dec 2011 at 14:09.
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Are you planning on landing/departing from an airport under SVFR i.e. Channel Islands?
It is my understanding there (present IMC holder) that they will not clear you SVFR unless you have BKN800 or better, and 3000m Viz.
In Class D, I've had SVFR before at the viz minima (1500m, which was practically instrument flying) and at 800ft when I shot the ILS and broke away once visual, and continued to my destination in SVFR / VFR outside controlled airspace.
Obviously, you need to adhere to the clearance minima, which will likely be the biggest problem, and low flying over congested areas.
It is my understanding there (present IMC holder) that they will not clear you SVFR unless you have BKN800 or better, and 3000m Viz.
In Class D, I've had SVFR before at the viz minima (1500m, which was practically instrument flying) and at 800ft when I shot the ILS and broke away once visual, and continued to my destination in SVFR / VFR outside controlled airspace.
Obviously, you need to adhere to the clearance minima, which will likely be the biggest problem, and low flying over congested areas.
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ANO rule 6 exempts you from the 1000' / congested area section of rule 5 when on a SVFR clearance. Other parts of rule 5 still apply, 500' and land clear for example.
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In Ireland you require a minimum of 500ft cloud base.
Enr 1.2 for the rules.
At an aerodrome within a control zone, special VFR flights shall not be authorised to land,, take off,
depart, cross the control zone or operate locally therein if the ground visibility within the control zone is
less than 1500m and/or the reported cloud ceiling is less than 500 feet, except in the case of a helicopter
operating in accordance with Rule 3(2)(b) of these rules, along a prescribed route or within a prescribed
area where lower limits are prescribed.
depart, cross the control zone or operate locally therein if the ground visibility within the control zone is
less than 1500m and/or the reported cloud ceiling is less than 500 feet, except in the case of a helicopter
operating in accordance with Rule 3(2)(b) of these rules, along a prescribed route or within a prescribed
area where lower limits are prescribed.
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Are you planning on landing/departing from an airport under SVFR i.e. Channel Islands?
It is my understanding there (present IMC holder) that they will not clear you SVFR unless you have BKN800 or better, and 3000m Viz.
It is my understanding there (present IMC holder) that they will not clear you SVFR unless you have BKN800 or better, and 3000m Viz.
SVFR is always conducted under an ATC clearance, and in the UK MATS Part 1 requires that
Controllers shall not issue a Special VFR clearance to any aircraft, other than helicopters, for departure from an aerodrome within a control zone when the official meteorological report indicates that the visibility is 1800 m or less or the cloud ceiling is less than 600 feet.
The proposal for the Standard European Rules of the Air would require a ceiling of at least 600 ft and a ground vis of not less than 1500 m (800 m for helicopters).
Note this is ceiling (50% cover or more) not base.
Controllers shall not issue a Special VFR clearance to any aircraft, other than helicopters, for departure from an aerodrome within a control zone when the official meteorological report indicates that the visibility is 1800 m or less or the cloud ceiling is less than 600 feet.
The proposal for the Standard European Rules of the Air would require a ceiling of at least 600 ft and a ground vis of not less than 1500 m (800 m for helicopters).
Note this is ceiling (50% cover or more) not base.
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Worth mentioning that without an instrument qualification you require 10k vis for SVFR flight in CAS in the UK
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Worth mentioning that you only need the 10k vis it if you hold a UK licence. Non UK licence holders don't have any such restriction.
Discuss!
DD
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Are you sure.... I was always under the impression that the rules of the land in which you fly overrule the rules of the licence you're flying on if they are more restrictive!
Discuss!
DD
Discuss!
DD
UK AIP Entry ENR 1.2 contains them, but you won't find any reference to 10KM viz in it, because the 'rules of the land' in the UK don't include any such restriction.
The 10km restriction is a restriction placed on certain licence holders only, and not a general one. My Irish licence doesn't hold any such restriction, and neither do any other European ones that I'm aware of except some of those in the UK.
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CAP 393 The Air Navigation Order...
Sorry, must have mis-understood these rules then.
Where does it say UK issued JAR-FCL Compliant Private Pilot Licence? Is there a 'trump card' somewhere? A PPL is that, regardless of state of issue.
Section 1 Page 190
SECTION 2
JAR-FCL Licences
SUB-SECTION 1
Aeroplane pilots
Private Pilot Licence (Aeroplane)
Minimum age – 17 years
Maximum period of validity – 5 years
Privileges and conditions:
(1) Subject to paragraph (4) and to any conditions specified for the licence, the privileges of the holder of a Private Pilot Licence (Aeroplane) are to act, but not for remuneration, as pilot in command or co-pilot of any aeroplane specified in a class or type rating included in Part XII of the
licence flying on non-revenue flights.
(2) The licence is subject to the conditions and restrictions specified in paragraph 1.175 of Section 1 of JAR–FCL 1.
(3) The holder may not—
(a) unless the licence includes an instrument rating (aeroplane) or an instrument meteorological conditions rating (aeroplanes), fly as pilot in command of such an aeroplane—
(i) on a flight outside controlled airspace when the flight visibility is less than three km;
(ii) on a special VFR flight in a control zone in a flight visibility of less than 10 km except on a route or in an aerodrome traffic zone notified for the purpose of this subparagraph;
or
(iii) out of sight of the surface;
(b) unless the licence includes an instrument...
SECTION 2
JAR-FCL Licences
SUB-SECTION 1
Aeroplane pilots
Private Pilot Licence (Aeroplane)
Minimum age – 17 years
Maximum period of validity – 5 years
Privileges and conditions:
(1) Subject to paragraph (4) and to any conditions specified for the licence, the privileges of the holder of a Private Pilot Licence (Aeroplane) are to act, but not for remuneration, as pilot in command or co-pilot of any aeroplane specified in a class or type rating included in Part XII of the
licence flying on non-revenue flights.
(2) The licence is subject to the conditions and restrictions specified in paragraph 1.175 of Section 1 of JAR–FCL 1.
(3) The holder may not—
(a) unless the licence includes an instrument rating (aeroplane) or an instrument meteorological conditions rating (aeroplanes), fly as pilot in command of such an aeroplane—
(i) on a flight outside controlled airspace when the flight visibility is less than three km;
(ii) on a special VFR flight in a control zone in a flight visibility of less than 10 km except on a route or in an aerodrome traffic zone notified for the purpose of this subparagraph;
or
(iii) out of sight of the surface;
(b) unless the licence includes an instrument...
Where does it say UK issued JAR-FCL Compliant Private Pilot Licence? Is there a 'trump card' somewhere? A PPL is that, regardless of state of issue.
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Controllers shall not issue a Special VFR clearance to any aircraft, other than helicopters, for departure from an aerodrome within a control zone when the official meteorological report indicates that the visibility is 1800 m or less or the cloud ceiling is less than 600 feet.