Can I Fly VFR in Smoke?

In times of wildfires, note where the fires are and which way the winds are blowing.

Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 12:09 PM ET

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Smoke from fires can take you by surprise. When you get your weather briefing, note where the fires are and which way the winds are blowing. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

The legality of student solo flight in smoke hinges on whether conditions remain VFR, as smoke can reduce visibility to MVFR or IFR; if IFR, an instrument rating and IFR flight plan are required.
Student pilots must ensure that ceiling and visibility conditions are above VFR minimums, not MVFR, and meet any specific limitations set by their CFI in their logbook for solo flight.
Pilots should treat smoke as an "Adverse Condition," diligently check weather briefings for fire locations and wind direction, and always be prepared to divert to an alternate airport.

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Question: Are student pilots allowed to fly solo in smoke? Although the wildfires are more than 50 miles away, the smoke has been drifting over my airport. Is it legal for me to fly in smoke?

READ MORE: Why Do Pilots Use Checklists?

Answer: The real question here is: Are conditions VFR, MVFR, or IFR because of the smoke? If the conditions are IFR, and you do not have an instrument rating and are not flying on an IFR flight plan, what the heck would you be doing up there? I say this in jest, but that’s the first metric to assess.

Smoke falls under the category of “Adverse Conditions.” Per Chapter 7 of the Aeronautical Information Manual, “pilots should be especially alert for current or forecast weather that could reduce flight minimums below VFR or IFR conditions,” meaning reduced visibility. Smoke will definitely do that.