Special VFR

Elim Hawkins

Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at 08:50 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Special VFR (SVFR) allows VFR pilots to operate in Class B, C, D, or E surface airspaces below 10,000 feet when reported weather is below VFR minimums but conditions permit visual flight.
SVFR clearance is granted solely at ATC's discretion and can be denied or revoked if it would delay higher-priority IFR traffic; ATC often treats SVFR aircraft similarly to IFR for separation.
While day SVFR requires a Private pilot certificate, 1 mile visibility, and remaining clear of clouds (night SVFR requires IFR capability), the author strongly recommends that VFR-only pilots avoid SVFR due to the risk of inadvertently entering IMC.

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Special VFR (SVFR) is a clearance that pilots can use to fly VFR into an airspace reporting below VMC. SVFR allows pilots to operate in and out of Class B, C, D, or E airspaces below 10,000 feet when the reported weather is below normal VFR. It is a great tool when used correctly, and frees a pilot from needing an IFR clearance when they can maintain special VFR conditions for a short time. You should understand SVFR, but also evaluate it critically in terms of your own capabilities and limitations.

Depending on the facility, ATC will provide the appropriate service for SVFR aircraft when operating near IFR aircraft. In the tower, we treat SVFR aircraft (lacking a Letter of Agreement, LOA) similar to IFR aircraft due to the low-visibility permitted for SVFR. The best way we remember it is, “One in, one out.”