VFR after 25th March 2020
 

Confusion reigns! Has anyone heard any clarification on what will happen after 25th March 2020 when the UK CAA ORS4 is cancelled and the 'clear of cloud' part is removed? 1000ft from cloud then is VFR? All thoughts very welcome! Cheers all..

See here http://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/...312%20(V1).pdf

In short ATCO, what does this mean for helicopters in the UK?

See Appendix A, Table 2:
Another 16 references to helicopters in there.

yes it does but only in Class G does it say Clear of Cloud. So Class D for example 1000ft separation?

Special VFR? Down to 800m and 600ft it would appear in class D

No that’s for Emergency Helicoptets etc.. Still 1000ft clear if cloud. Unless I’m reading it wrong 🙈

Think you read it wrong - it's 800m viz / 600 feet cloud-base for helicopters under SVFR in class D and only the emergency operators listed may operate in less than that. At least that's how i read it.

OH

But the 1000ft Separation from cloud seems to still hold? The ‘clear of cloud’ dropped?

Yes they're dropping 'clear of cloud' so if you are 999ft vertically from cloud you have to be on a SVFR clearance. Which of course means ATC has all the hassle of separating you from all IFR traffic - and indeed all other SVFRs.
And they're doing this without any warning, having promised last year to publish the results of the consultation they undertook, and the measures they are taking to respond to points made by consultees.
It will mean lots more transit delays and refusals.
And all so that the UK can say it's now fully aligned with SERA - the month after we have left the EU!

This is going to make getting in and out of London Heliport rather tricky, even in relatively good weather.

London tours where we deliberately don’t ask for SPVFR to avoid the increased separation criteria are going to become a problem ☹️

2300 for Heathrow then.

So what happens to GA airfields within class D
ie. Fairoaks and Denham.

Aberdeen is going to be fun...

Deemed SVFR in their LFAs anyway so makes no difference unless you're heading into the London CTR proper.

But it will be more interesting leaving Fairoaks after the newly published Farnborough CAS comes into force on 27th of this month.

Don't you just love it when Rule changes simplify things!

How many CAA prosecutions for Rules Violations will come from this you think?

Arguably easier since there will no longer be a need for "not above 1400ft QNH unless co-ordinated with Farnborough".