Special visual flight rules (also special VFR or SVFR) are a set of aviation regulations under which a pilot may operate an aircraft. It is a special case of operating under

visual flight rules In aviation, visual flight rules (VFR) are a set of regulations under which a pilot operates an aircraft in weather conditions generally clear enough to allow the pilot to see where the aircraft is going. Specifically, the weather must be better ...

(VFR).

Use in different regions

The definition for SVFR may be different in different countries, depending on the local aviation regulations.

ICAO definition

The

ICAO The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO, ) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that coordinates the principles and techniques of international air navigation, and fosters the planning and development of international a ...

definition of Special VFR flight is a VFR flight cleared by air traffic control to operate within a control zone in meteorological conditions below

visual meteorological conditions In aviation, visual meteorological conditions (VMC) is an aviation flight category in which visual flight rules (VFR) flight is permitted—that is, conditions in which pilots have sufficient visibility to fly the aircraft maintaining visual sep ...

United States

According to

Federal Aviation Regulations The Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) are rules prescribed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) governing all aviation activities in the United States. The FARs comprise Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). A wide variety o ...

, SVFR operations can only be conducted in the

controlled airspace Controlled airspace is airspace of defined dimensions within which air traffic control (ATC) services are provided. The level of control varies with different classes of airspace. Controlled airspace usually imposes higher weather minimums tha ...

around an airport where that controlled airspace extends down to the surface (so-called ''surface area''). SVFR can only be conducted below 10,000 feet MSL in such areas. SVFR at night requires an IFR-equipped aircraft and an IFR-rated pilot in command ("IFR" means

Instrument flight rules In aviation, instrument flight rules (IFR) is one of two sets of regulations governing all aspects of civil aviation aircraft operations; the other is visual flight rules (VFR). The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) ''Instrument Fly ...

). In helicopters, there is no minimum flight visibility requirement, or a requirement for an IFR-equipped aircraft or an IFR-rated pilot in command.

Other countries

Flight under SVFR is only allowed in

, and always requires clearance from

air traffic control Air traffic control (ATC) is a service provided by ground-based air traffic controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and through a given section of controlled airspace, and can provide advisory services to aircraft in non-controlled airs ...

(ATC). It usually happens when the aircraft is inside

, and the local weather is less than the minimums required for flight under

(VFR) within the airspace in question. Note that an aircraft might be able to fly under SVFR even in Class A airspace, where

instrument flight rules In aviation, instrument flight rules (IFR) is one of two sets of regulations governing all aspects of civil aviation aircraft operations; the other is visual flight rules (VFR). The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) ''Instrument Fly ...

(IFR) flight is the norm.

Equipment requirements and weather minimums

The aircraft need not necessarily be equipped for flight under IFR, and the aircraft must remain clear of clouds with the surface in sight, and maintain a certain flight visibility minimum (1,500 metres according to

, one statute mile in the US, 1,500 m visibility, in sight of surface and clear of cloud in Europe). The pilot continues to be responsible for obstacle and terrain clearance.Using Special VFR and Conctact Approach
Disciples of Flight, 23 Dec 2014 An example of the use of SVFR is when a flight wishes to leave an airport in controlled airspace, to fly VFR in

uncontrolled airspace In aviation, uncontrolled airspace is airspace where an Air Traffic Control (ATC) service is not deemed necessary or cannot be provided for practical reasons. It is the opposite of controlled airspace. It is that portion of the airspace that has ...

, when the visibility is below the minimum for VFR flight in the control zone but not below the lower minimum for VFR flight in uncontrolled airspace. SVFR is never offered by Air Traffic Control. It must be requested by the Pilot in Command.

References