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4 Answers

Special VFR

Asked by: 14332 views Student Pilot

Can a student pilot legally request "Special VFR" from the control tower?

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4 Answers



  1. Kris Kortokrax on Apr 09, 2013

    See 91.157.

    You could not request SVFR at night in an airplane, because you would be required to possess an instrument rating. Otherwise, OK.

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  2. Jon Moore on Apr 10, 2013

    SVFR allows a pilot to operate with visibility down to 1 SM and clear of clouds. However, student pilots are not allowed to operate in visibility less than 3 SM (61.89). So a student pilot may use SVFR only to get closer to clouds, but not to reduce the visibility minimum.

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  3. alaskanfly3r on Apr 26, 2013

    camiungusit? kituusit?

    -5 Votes Thumb up 1 Votes Thumb down 6 Votes



  4. _Danny_ on Jan 31, 2017

    § 91.157 Special VFR weather minimums.
    (a) Except as provided in appendix D, section 3, of this part, special VFR operations may be conducted under the weather minimums and requirements of this section, instead of those contained in § 91.155, below 10,000 feet MSL within the airspace contained by the upward extension of the lateral boundaries of the controlled airspace designated to the surface for an airport.

    (b)Special VFR operations may only be conducted –

    (1) With an ATC clearance;

    (2) Clear of clouds;

    (3) Except for helicopters, when flight visibility is at least 1 statute mile; and

    (4) Except for helicopters, between sunrise and sunset (or in Alaska, when the sun is 6 degrees or more below the horizon) unless –

    (i) The person being granted the ATC clearance meets the applicable requirements for instrument flight under part 61 of this chapter; and

    (ii) The aircraft is equipped as required in § 91.205(d).

    (c) No person may take off or land an aircraft (other than a helicopter) under special VFR –

    (1) Unless ground visibility is at least 1 statute mile; or

    (2) If ground visibility is not reported, unless flight visibility is at least 1 statute mile. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term flight visibility includes the visibility from the cockpit of an aircraft in takeoff position if:

    (i) The flight is conducted under this part 91; and

    (ii) The airport at which the aircraft is located is a satellite airport that does not have weather reporting capabilities.

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