What are VFR minimums for helicopters?
A helicopter may be operated clear of clouds in an airport traffic pattern within 1/2 mile of the runway or helipad of intended landing if the flight visibility is not less than 1/2 statute mile.
What is special VFR for helicopters?
SVFR refers to Special VFR, which allows a pilot to fly in lower visibility in controlled airspace. When giving flight reviews to helicopter pilots, I ask what that means. Occasionally, I am told that SVFR is not permitted at that airport. The correct answer is SVFR is not permitted for fixed-wing aircraft.
What are the VFR minimums?
Basic VFR Weather Minimums cloud ceiling at least 1,000 feet AGL; and. ground visibility at least 3 statute miles (usually measured by ATC but, if not available, flight visibility at least 3 statute miles as estimated by the pilot).
Do alternate minimums apply to helicopters?
That alternate must have a ceiling 200 feet above the minimum for the approach to be flown, and visibility at least 1 statute mile but never less than the minimum visibility for the approach to be flown.
How do I request a special VFR?
If the reported weather is less, a pilot can request a Special VFR Clearance. Several conditions must be met; the visibility must be at least one statue mile, the pilot must remain clear of clouds and at night, the pilot must be instrument rated in an IFR capable aircraft.
Can you get special VFR in Class E?
Special VFR clearances allow VFR pilots to land at surface E, class D, and some C and B airports when the field is IFR, but only if the pilot can maintain clear of clouds and the visibility is at least 1 SM.
Is special VFR allowed at night?
SVFR is possible at night, but the requirements go up significantly: you must be qualified for instrument flight under FAR 61, and your aircraft must be equipped for instrument flight. Basically, you need to be ready to go IFR.
Is 3500 a VFR cruising altitude?
VFR cruising altitude rules in the US and Canada On a magnetic course of 0-179 degrees shall fly at an odd thousand ft MSL altitude +500 feet (e.g., 3,500, 5,500, or 7,500 ft); or. On a magnetic course of 180-359 degrees shall fly at an even thousand ft MSL altitude +500 feet (e.g., 4,500, 6,500, or 8,500 ft).
Can you fly VFR in rain?
So: In my view, flying VFR in heavy rain is not a serious problem as long as you maintain adequate visibility. The same goes for IFR as long as you watch out for heavy precipitation associated with convection and you make sure your electronics stay dry.”
Is Lpv a precision approach?
LPV approaches are a WAAS/GPS based approach, and they’re very similar to the ILS. Even though LPV approaches have vertical guidance, they’re not considered precision approaches. Instead, they’re an approach with vertical guidance (APV).
Can a GPS approach be used as an alternate?
For airports with both ground-based navaid IAPs and GPS-based IAPs, the GPS-based IAPs typically would show as NA for filing as an alternate. The NOTAM now allows an option to flight plan for use of a GPS-based IAP at either the destination or the alternate airport, but not at both locations.
Is VFR allowed at night?
There’s no difference between flying in daylight and flying at night—except you can’t see anything. Even if you haven’t flown at night for year or more, you’re perfectly legal to blast off solo at midnight in a single-engine airplane under an overcast with three miles of drizzly visibility. …
When does a helicopter need to fly SVFR?
§ 91.157 Special VFR weather minimums This part allows helicopters to fly SVFR even when flight visibility is below 1 statute mile when required for other aircraft. This part also allows helicopters to operate SVFR at night while other aircraft would have to be IFR certified with an instrument rated pilot.
What are the weather minimums for a VFR?
§ 91.155 – Basic VFR weather minimums. Airspace Flight visibility Distance from clouds 2,000 feet horizontal. Class D 3 statute miles 500 feet below. 1,000 feet above. 2,000 feet horizontal.
When is an aircraft not allowed to fly under VFR?
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section and § 91.157, no person may operate an aircraft under VFR when the flight visibility is less, or at a distance from clouds that is less, than that prescribed for the corresponding altitude and class of airspace in the following table:
What are the flight rules for a helicopter?
Helicopters must complete the flight to the first airport of intended landing, then fly from that airport to the alternate airport; and then fly after that for 30 minutes at normal cruising speed. Normally, other aircraft are required to have 45 minutes. § 91.169 IFR Flight Plan Requirements (Alternate Minimums)