Class G special VFR at night: IFR required?
Asked by: Skyfox 5086 views Airspace, FAA Regulations, General Aviation, Instrument Rating, Private Pilot, Weather
Here's another one of those obscure questions. I'll say right off the bat that I'd never fly VFR in such ridiculously low minimums. 91.157 describes the regulations of special VFR in controlled airspace, including that from sunset to sunrise it requires an instrument rated pilot and IFR equipped aircraft. 91.155 (b) describes the regulations of flying at night in class G to minimums less than basic VFR (not technically special VFR since that is defined as being specifically in controlled B, C, D, and E surface based airspace on a clearance, but it's less than the minimums of marginal VFR so I'll refer to it as special VFR for simplicity), provided the airplane remains within 1/2 sm of the runway. This part of the regulation says nothing about the requirement of an IFR rated plane and pilot. So my question is, does special VFR in class G airspace at night require an instrument rated pilot and IFR equipped aircraft just the same as it does in controlled airspace? Or is none of that required since the IFR-ready requirements in 91.157 are specific to SVFR night flight in controlled airspace while class G is uncontrolled and such flight is not technically SVFR by strict definition?
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