Readback: April 2015

I see a lot of confusion between the terms VFR and VMC (as well as IFR and IMC). VMC and VFR are often used interchangeably, in fact.To me, VFR and VMC are in fact not the same because VFR refers to a set of rules that govern flight (visual flight rules), which includes airspace and so on. There are certain weather minimums to operate VFR. However, VMC can be interpreted as conditions that allow you to keep the plane upright by looking outside. You can be VMC but in VFR weather by simply being 1500 feet away from a cloud.However, while I could find VFR and IFR defined in FAR/AIM, I couldnt find anything for VMC. Are you aware of any FAA guidance on this?

Key Takeaways:

• The article clarifies the common confusion between VFR (Visual Flight Rules, referring to regulations) and VMC (Visual Meteorological Conditions, actual weather), noting that VMC is often de facto defined by FAA regulation 91.155.
• It provides practical aviation insights, including a recommended website for multi-day weather planning (usairnet.com), corrects the critical icing temperature range to +2C to -10C, and explains how to find maximum altitudes on RNAV SIDs.
• The piece also includes an unusual yet fortunate anecdote of an engine-out ditching with a full recovery, and discusses varying opinions on ADS-B implementation.

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