Visual Flight Rules (VFR): VMC Minima, SVFR, and VFR-to-IFR Transition

010-05-04Pablo Asensio Martínez2026-03-271 min

Visual Flight Rules (VFR) permit flight based on external visual references.

Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC)

To fly VFR, VMC conditions (visibility and distance from clouds) must exist equal to or greater than the minima specified for the class of airspace. If the altitude is lower than 1000 ft AGL (or 3000 ft AMSL depending on the zone), the requirement is usually to fly free of clouds and with the surface in sight (Clear of Clouds and in Sight of the Ground - CCISG).

General Limitations

Unless authorized, VFR flights shall not be operated:

  • Above FL200 (flight level 200).
  • At transonic or supersonic speeds.

Special VFR (SVFR)

A Special VFR flight is a VFR flight cleared by ATC to operate within a control zone (CTR) in meteorological conditions below VMC.

Pilot Requirements (aeroplanes):

  1. Fly free of clouds and with the surface in sight.
  2. Flight visibility not less than 1,500 m (800 m for helicopters).
  3. Speed of 140 kts IAS or less.
  4. Day only (unless permitted by the authority).

ATC Restriction: An SVFR clearance to take off or land will not be issued if:

  • Ground visibility is less than 1,500 m.
  • Ceiling is less than 180 m (600 ft).

Change from VFR to IFR

A VFR pilot wishing to change to IFR shall communicate the necessary changes to the current flight plan or, if in controlled airspace, request clearance before proceeding IFR.

An IFR aircraft encountering VMC will not cancel its IFR flight unless it is anticipated that the flight will continue in uninterrupted VMC for a reasonable period.