By Josh Page, CFI
A few years ago, I took a friend up for a fun scenic flight around our local area. We went up and down the beach and enjoyed all the great sights. As we enjoyed the breathtaking views, a very low layer of clouds rolled in over our airport. I didn’t even notice it! When we were all wrapped up, I called up our tower to request a full stop landing. The tower informed me that our airport had just gone to IFR due to the low cloud ceilings. Sure enough I could see the stubborn cloud layer just sitting over the airport. At that time, I wasn’t instrument rated. I could clearly see the airport from where I was positioned and I knew for certain that I could get there safely, but what was I to do? It was IFR. This is a situation many people have found themselves into without realizing that there is something you can do!
Special VFR
If the airport you’re landing at is reporting 1000’ ceilings or less, but you determine that you can get there safely without entering the clouds, then you can request what is called special VFR. This is essentially special permission to fly into IFR conditions provided that you remain clear of all clouds and have at least one mile of visibility. This can also be used when taking off from an airport that is currently not VFR. Again, you need to ensure you can abide by the regulation of staying out of clouds and having at least a mile of visibility.
Don’t Push It
Special VFR is a great tool for getting in and out of airports when the weather is deteriorating, or the airport is sitting under a small cloud layer. But like with any other tool, it needs to be used properly. This is not something to ever be abused — you don’t want to push the limits with hazardous weather or go beyond your own personal minimums. Good aeronautical decision making would have you assess the situation and make a good choice that ensures safety. If you’re a newer pilot, special VFR might not be for you. You might find it more prudent to make a diversion to land at the nearest airport in VFR conditions while you wait for VFR conditions to resume at your destination airport.
What About at Night?
If you’re in a situation where you’d like to request special VFR at night, you have to be instrument rated and your airplane has to be instrument equipped. Nighttime is too dangerous of a time to be flying outside of VFR minimums. It’s already easy to become disoriented at night, so there’s no reason to add another element of risk there. This rule safeguards against that unnecessary risk.
You Have to Request It
One interesting thing to point out about special VFR is that you have to request it. ATC cannot offer it to you. I remember once flying and monitoring the radio when a low cloud ceiling rolled in over our airport. I heard a pilot call up the tower from a few miles away asking for a landing, but the tower informed them the field had just gone IFR. The pilot asked if they could come in quickly since it just became IFR and they could see the airport well. Tower once again said no but nudged them with a little hint, “There might be something you can ask me to get you back in”. This jogged the pilot’s memory, and he requested a special VFR clearance to get to the airport and land safely.
Caution
As stated before, if you decide to request special VFR use much caution! You will need to have good judgement as you accurately assess the weather and make the call on flying under special VFR rules. Another thing to consider is that your workload will increase. Now not only will you be focused on landing or taking off at your airport, but you will also need to be vigilant about clouds and visibility, and watching the weather to ensure it doesn’t get worse. Remember if you’re not instrument rated and you fly in special VFR and the weather deteriorates quickly around you, you don’t have the option of flying IFR like someone who is instrument rated. You don’t want to get into that situation. So only request this special permission if you’re certain that you can stay out of the clouds, maintain at least one mile of visibility, and land at your airport safely! I would recommend doing this with another pilot or a flight instructor before you attempt it on your own. It’s a fantastic tool to have in your toolbox, but make sure you use it properly. Happy flying!
By Josh Page, CFI
Northstar Aviation References brings you the Pre-Tabbed ASA FAR/AIM, DIY tabs for your FAR/AIM and other pilot resources so that you can more easily study the regulations that form the foundation of your flying career or hobby. Have any questions? Check out our FAQs page or contact us. Check out other blog posts here.