VFR weather minima and VFR limits

Free lesson · Air Regulations · DGCA CPL and ATPL

How much weather you need to fly VFR, where and when you may, and the right move when the weather closes in on a controlled VFR flight.

How much weather do you need for VFR?

VMC minima

Find your height band, then check visibility and your distance from cloud.

Memory hook: 8 high, 5 low; 1,500 m across, 1,000 ft up or down.

Takeaway: 8 km from 10,000 ft up, 5 km below; keep 1,500 m and 1,000 ft from cloud, except low in Classes F and G.

Where and when may you fly VFR?

VFR limits

Three views: how low, how early to file, and the limits on VFR.

VFR (visual flight rules) means flying by looking outside, so the rules keep you clear of cloud, the ground and other traffic.

  • VFR (visual flight rules) means flying by looking outside, so the rules keep you clear of cloud, the ground and other traffic.
  • Heights
  • How low may a VFR flight go?
  • Drag to a height above the ground. Take-off and landing, or DG permission, are the exceptions.
  • ground
  • higher
  • Too low
  • below 500 ft anywhere
  • Below 150 m (500 ft) above ground or water is too low for VFR anywhere, except when taking off or landing or with DG permission.
  • Open country only
  • at least 500 ft
  • Away from towns and crowds: keep at least 150 m (500 ft) above the land or water.
  • Over towns too
  • 1000 ft above obstacles
  • Over towns and crowds: keep at least 300 m (1000 ft) above the tallest obstacle within 600 m of you.
  • Filing
  • When can I file my flight plan?
  • Drag to how many hours before the estimated off-block time (EOBT) you are filing.
  • at EOBT
  • days ahead
  • Too late
  • less than 180 minutes
  • A flight plan must be in at least 180 minutes (3 hours) before EOBT. Once filed, a delay of 15 minutes or more is reported to ATC.
  • File now
  • 3 h to 120 h before
  • Submit the flight plan at least 180 minutes (3 hours) and not earlier than 120 hours before EOBT. RPA flight plans need at least 24 hours before departure.
  • Too early
  • more than 120 hours
  • Not earlier than 120 hours (5 days) before EOBT. RPA flight plans need at least 24 hours before departure.
  • Limits
  • The limits on VFR flight
  • Eight limits on when and where you may fly VFR. Spin to find them all.
  • Hours
  • 1
  • sunrise −20 min to sunset +20 min
  • Unless ATC exempts local flights or flying club training flights.
  • Not without authority
  • 2
  • FL150, transonic, 100 NM seaward
  • VFR is not flown above FL150, at transonic or supersonic speed, or more than 100 NM seaward within controlled airspace, unless the ATS authority allows. Never above FL290 where RVSM applies.
  • Not without ATC clearance
  • 3
  • ceiling 1500 ft, visibility 5 km
  • In a control zone, no VFR take-off, landing or ATZ entry when the ceiling is below 450 m (1500 ft) or ground visibility below 5 km, without ATC clearance.
  • Minimum heights
  • 4
  • 1000 ft in 600 m; 500 ft
  • Over towns and crowds: 300 m (1000 ft) above the tallest obstacle within 600 m. Anywhere else: 150 m (500 ft) above land or water.
  • Under ATC control
  • 5
  • B, C, D, aerodrome traffic, SVFR
  • VFR flights comply with ATC in Class B, C and D, at controlled aerodromes, and as Special VFR. In designated areas they keep a watch with the FIS unit.
  • VMC footnotes
  • 6
  • 3000 m, helicopters, FL100
  • TA below 10,000 ft: use FL100. Visibility may drop to 3000 m for slow flight or low traffic; helicopters 1500 m. India, low in F and G: 3000 m, helicopters 1000 m.
  • Special VFR
  • 7
  • 1500 m ground visibility
  • Approved by approach control, to enter, leave, cross or fly locally in a control zone. Class I and II helicopters: 1000 m, stated in field 18. Pilot needs IR, AFI or FI rating.
  • IFR minimum levels
  • 8
  • 600 m / 300 m within 8 km
  • If the country has set no figure: over high ground, 600 m (2000 ft) above the tallest obstacle within 8 km; elsewhere 300 m (1000 ft).

Takeaway: No VFR above FL150, at transonic speed, or beyond 100 NM out to sea without authority. Special VFR needs 1500 m and approach control approval.

VMC is deteriorating on a controlled VFR flight: what now?

VMC going bad

Try each option in order until one works.

  • Can you get an amended clearance to stay in VMC?
  • Can you stay in VMC on your own?
  • Are you in a control zone?
  • Fly the amended clearance
  • Stay VMC and notify ATC
  • Request Special VFR
  • Request an IFR clearance

Memory hook: Amend, stay VMC, Special VFR, IFR.

Takeaway: Ask for an amended clearance; else stay VMC and tell ATC; in a control zone ask for Special VFR; or ask for IFR.