1. INTRODUCTION
Except when operating as a special
VFR flight,
VFR flights shall be conducted so that the aircraft is flown in conditions of visibility and distance from clouds equal to or greater than those specified in Table 1.
Except when a clearance is obtained from an air traffic control unit,
VFR flights shall not take off or land at an aerodrome within a control zone, or enter the aerodrome traffic zone or traffic pattern:
- when the ceiling is less than 450 M (1500 FT); or
- when the ground visibility is less than 5 KM.
VFR flights between sunset and sunrise, or such other period between sunset and sunrise as may be prescribed by the appropriate
ATS authority, shall be operated in accordance with the conditions prescribed by such authority.
Unless authorized by the appropriate
ATS authority,
VFR flights shall not be operated:
- above FL 200;
- at transonic and supersonic speeds.
Except when necessary for take-off or landing, or except by permission from the appropriate authority, a
VFR flight shall not be flown:
- over the congested areas of cities, towns or settlements or over an open-air assembly of persons at height less than 300 M (1000 FT) above the highest obstacle within a radius of 600 M from the aircraft;
- elsewhere than as specified in 5 a), at a height less that 150 M (500 FT) above the ground or water.
Table 1: | Airspace class | C, D, E | G |
| Above 900 M (3000 FT) AMSL or above 300 M (1000 FT) above terrain, whichever is the higher | At and below 900 M (3000 FT) AMSL or 300 M (1000 FT) above terrain, whichever is the higher |
| Distance from cloud | 1500 M horizontally
300 M (1000 FT) vertically | Clear of cloud and in sight of the surface |
| Flight visibility | 8 KM at and above 3050 M (10000 FT) AMSL
5 KM below 3050 M (10000 FT) AMSL | 5 KM1) |
- When so prescribed by the appropriate ATS authority:
- lower flight visibilities to 1500 M may be permitted for flights operating:
- at speeds that, in the prevailing visibility, will give adequate opportunity to observe other traffic or any obstacles in time to avoid collision; or
- in circumstances in which the probability of encounters with other traffic would normally be low, e.g. in areas of low volume traffic and for aerial work at low levels.
- Helicopters may be permitted to operate in less than 1500 M light visibility, if manoeuvred at a speed that will give adequate opportunity to observe other traffic or any obstacles in time to avoid collision.
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Except where otherwise indicated in air traffic control clearances or specified by the appropriate
ATS authority,
VFR flights in level cruising flight when operated above 900
M (3000
FT) from the ground or water, or a higher datum as specified by the appropriate
ATS authority, shall be conducted at a flight level appropriate to the track as specified in the tables of cruising levels.
VFR flights shall comply with the provisions of paragraph 3.6 of ICAO Annex 2:
- when operated within Classes B, C and D airspace;
- when forming part of aerodrome traffic at controlled aerodromes; or
- when operated as special VFR flights.
An aircraft operated in accordance with the visual flight rules which wishes to change to compliance with the instrument flight rules shall:
- if a flight plan was submitted, communicate the necessary changes to be effected to its current flight plan, or
- when so required by 3.3 of Annex 2, submit a flight plan to the appropriate air traffic services unit and obtain a clearance prior to proceeding IFR when in controlled airspace.
For more details see AIC A 002/2014.