Prerequisite knowledge:
Since flying under VFR relies on the pilot being able to navigate using visual references, the weather must allow for the ground to remain sight of the pilot. Pilots operating under VFR are also responsible for staying separated from other aircraft in order to avoid collisions, which is another reason why flying in clear weather is mandatory. This type of clear weather is known as VMC (visual meteorological conditions). All VFR flying must be done in VMC.
Since flying under VFR relies on the pilot being able to navigate using visual references, the weather must allow for the ground to remain sight of the pilot. Pilots operating under VFR are also responsible for staying separated from other aircraft in order to avoid collisions, which is another reason why flying in clear weather is mandatory. This type of clear weather is known as VMC (visual meteorological conditions). All VFR flying must be done in VMC.
The specific definitions of VMC can vary from nation to nation. For the sake of simplicity, the VMC definition from Canada will be used.
These are the minimum weather requirements for flying under VFR, and they vary depending on the situation, as showin in the above table. Different types of airspace will be covered in more detail in later articles. In order to legally fly VFR, the weather conditions at any point of the flight must be at or above these minimums.
On VATSIM, if you attempt to get a VFR flight clearance when the weather in the area is not VMC (below that nations VFR weather minima), your clearance will be denied on the basis of weather.
That's it for VFR weather criteria! The next article will cover basic geography.
On VATSIM, if you attempt to get a VFR flight clearance when the weather in the area is not VMC (below that nations VFR weather minima), your clearance will be denied on the basis of weather.
That's it for VFR weather criteria! The next article will cover basic geography.
