SVFR - What The FARS Say

SVFR – What The FARS Say

Joseph E. (Jeb) Burnside

Thursday, February 20, 2020 at 09:46 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Special VFR (SVFR) operations are permitted below 10,000 feet MSL within an airport's controlled airspace and require an ATC clearance.
General SVFR weather minima are one statute mile flight visibility and clear of clouds, with specific exceptions for helicopters.
Night SVFR is not permitted unless both the pilot and aircraft are IFR-qualified.
Fixed-wing SVFR is prohibited at several Class B airports (charted as "NO SVFR"), though helicopter SVFR is allowed at these locations.

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The FAA regulation describing SVFR weather minima for both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters is FAR 91.157. Here are the highlights:

1. SVFR may only be conducted below 10,000 feet msl and to the surface within the lateral boundaries of an airport’s controlled airspace. An ATC clearance is required.