Visual Meteorological Conditions
Background
All VFR aircraft must be operated in VMC unless they are operating under Special VFR in CTA. VMC differs based on airspace classification and aircraft type.
Pilots are responsible for ensuring the current meteorological conditions are sufficient to maintain VMC, and must discontinue a VFR flight or upgrade to IFR where this is not possible.
VMC
General
In all airspace classes except Class D, VMC is defined as per below.
| Altitude | Inflight Visibility | Distance from Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| At or above 10,000ft AMSL | 8km | 1,500m horizontal 1,000ft vertical |
| Below 10,000ft AMSL | 5km | 1,500m horizontal 1,000ft vertical |
Additional flexibilities exist in Class G airspace.
Class D
| Altitude | Inflight Visibility | Distance from Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| All altitudes | 5km | 600m horizontal 1,000ft vertical above cloud 500ft vertical below cloud |
Class G
In addition to the general VMC definition, aircraft operating in Class G airspace may operate under the following VMC definition.
| Altitude | Inflight Visibility | Distance from Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| At or below the higher of: 3,000ft AMSL 1,000ft AGL |
5km | Clear of cloud |
Aircraft must remain in sight of ground or water while operating under the VMC definition above.
Helicopters
Helicopters have specific VMC criteria in Class G airspace.
| Altitude | Inflight Visibility | Distance from Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Below 700ft over land Below 700ft over water with track guidance from navigation system |
800m | Clear of cloud |
| Below 700ft over water without track guidance from navigation system | 5km | 600m horizontal 500ft vertical |
The above criteria is only applicable:
- By day
- At a speed that allows the pilot to see obstructions or other traffic in time to avoid a collision
- If within 10nm of an aerodrome with an instrument approach, in a way which maintains at least 500ft vertical separation from any IFR aircraft that is within 10nm of the aerodrome
Special VFR
By day, where VMC does not exist, VFR aircraft may request a Special VFR clearance to enter or leave CTA or a control zone. Clearance may not be available where it would unduly delay an IFR aircraft.
Aircraft operating under Special VFR must ensure they comply with the criteria below.
| Aircraft Type | Inflight Visibility | Distance from Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Aeroplanes | 1,600m | Clear of cloud |
| Helicopters | 800m | Clear of cloud |
| Balloons | 100m below 500ft AGL 1,600m at or above 500ft AGL |
Clear of cloud |
Helicopters operating Special VFR must only do so at a speed which allows the pilot to see obstructions or other traffic in time to avoid a collision.