Section 5. Special VFR (SVFR)
7-5-1. AUTHORIZATION
a. SVFR operations in weather conditions less
than basic VFR minima are authorized:
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 2-1-4, Operational Priority.
1. At any location not prohibited by 14 CFR
Part 91, Appendix D or when an exemption to
14 CFR Part 91 has been granted and an associated
LOA established. 14 CFR Part 91 does not prohibit
SVFR helicopter operations.
2. Only within the lateral boundaries of Class B,
Class C, Class D, or Class E surface areas, below
10,000 feet MSL.
3. Only when requested by the pilot.
4. On the basis of weather conditions reported at
the airport of intended landing/departure.
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 7-5-6, Climb to VFR.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 7-5-7, Ground Visibility Below One Mile.
5. When weather conditions are not reported at
the airport of intended landing/departure and the pilot
advises that VFR cannot be maintained and requests
SVFR.
PHRASEOLOGY-
CLEARED TO ENTER/OUT OF/THROUGH, (name)
SURFACE AREA
and if required,
(direction) OF (name) AIRPORT (specified routing),
and
MAINTAIN SPECIAL V-F-R CONDITIONS,
and if required,
AT OR BELOW (altitude below 10,000 feet MSL)
or as applicable under an exemption from 14 CFR
Part 91,
CLEARED FOR (coded arrival or departure procedure)
ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE, (additional instructions as
required).
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 2-4-22, Airspace Classes.
b. SVFR operations may be authorized for aircraft
operating in or transiting a Class B, Class C, Class D,
or Class E surface area when the primary airport is
reporting VFR but the pilot advises that basic VFR
cannot be maintained.
NOTE-
The basic requirements for issuance of a SVFR clearance
in subpara a apply with the obvious exception that weather
conditions at the controlling airport are not required to be
less than basic VFR minima.
7-5-2. PRIORITY
a. SVFR flights may be approved only if arriving
and departing IFR aircraft are not delayed.
EXAMPLE-
1. A SVFR aircraft has been cleared to enter a Class B,
Class C, Class D, or Class E surface area and subsequently
an IFR aircraft is ready to depart or is in position to begin
an approach. Less overall delay might accrue to the IFR
aircraft if the SVFR aircraft is allowed to proceed to the
airport and land, rather than leave, a Class B, Class C,
Class D, or Class E surface area or be repositioned to
provide IFR priority.
2. A SVFR aircraft is number one for takeoff and located
in such a position that the number two aircraft, an IFR
flight, cannot taxi past to gain access to the runway. Less
overall delay might accrue to the IFR aircraft by releasing
the SVFR departure rather than by having the aircraft taxi
down the runway to a turnoff point so the IFR aircraft could
be released first.
NOTE-
The priority afforded IFR aircraft over SVFR aircraft is not
intended to be so rigidly applied that inefficient use of
airspace results. The controller has the prerogative of
permitting completion of a SVFR operation already in
progress when an IFR aircraft becomes a factor if better
overall efficiency will result.
b. Inform an aircraft of the anticipated delay when
a SVFR clearance cannot be granted because of IFR
traffic. Do not issue an EFC or expected departure
time.
PHRASEOLOGY-
EXPECT (number) MINUTES DELAY, (additional
instructions as necessary).
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 2-1-4, Operational Priority.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 5-6-1, Application.
7-5-3. SEPARATION
a. Apply approved separation between:
1. SVFR aircraft.
2. SVFR aircraft and IFR aircraft.
NOTE-
Approved separation between SVFR fixed-wing aircraft,
and between SVFR fixed-wing aircraft and IFR fixed-wing
aircraft, is prescribed in Chapter 6 and
Chapter 7, para 7-5-4, Altitude Assignment.
Radar vectors are authorized as prescribed in para
5-6-1, Application, subpara f.
b. Alternate SVFR helicopter separation minima
may be established when warranted by the volume
and/or complexity of local helicopter operations.
Alternate SVFR helicopter separation minima shall
be established with an LOA with the helicopter
operator which shall specify, as a minimum, that
SVFR helicopters are to maintain visual reference to
the surface and adhere to the following aircraft
separation minima:
1. Between a SVFR helicopter and an arriving
or departing IFR aircraft:
(a) 1/2 mile. If the IFR aircraft is less than
1 mile from the landing airport.
(b) 1 mile. If the IFR aircraft is 1 mile or
more from the airport.
2. 1 mile between SVFR helicopters. This
separation may be reduced to 200 feet if:
(a) Both helicopters are departing simultaneously on courses that diverge by at least 30 degrees
and:
(1) The tower can determine this separation
by reference to surface markings; or
(2) One of the departing helicopters is
instructed to remain at least 200 feet from the other.
NOTE-
Radar vectors are authorized as prescribed in para
5-6-1, Application.
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 2-1-4, Operational Priority.
7-5-4. ALTITUDE ASSIGNMENT
Do not assign a fixed altitude when applying vertical
separation, but clear the SVFR aircraft at or below an
altitude which is at least 500 feet below any
conflicting IFR traffic but not below the MSA
prescribed in 14 CFR Section 91.119.
PHRASEOLOGY-
MAINTAIN SPECIAL V-F-R CONDITIONS AT OR
BELOW (altitude).
NOTE-
1. SVFR aircraft are not assigned fixed altitudes to
maintain because of the clearance from clouds
requirement.
2. The MSAs are:
(a) Over congested areas, an altitude at least 1,000 feet
above the highest obstacle, and
(b) Over other than congested areas, an altitude at least
500 feet above the surface.
(c) Helicopters may be operated at less than the
minimum altitudes prescribed in (a) and (b) above.
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 2-1-4, Operational Priority.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 5-6-1, Application.
14 CFR Section 91.119, Minimum Safe Altitudes: General.
7-5-5. LOCAL OPERATIONS
a. Authorize local SVFR operations for a specified
period (series of landings and takeoffs, etc.) upon
request if the aircraft can be recalled when traffic or
weather conditions require. Where warranted, LOAs
may be consummated.
PHRASEOLOGY-
LOCAL SPECIAL V-F-R OPERATIONS IN THE
IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF (name) AIRPORT ARE
AUTHORIZED UNTIL (time). MAINTAIN SPECIAL
V-F-R CONDITIONS.
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7210.3, Para 4-3-2, Appropriate Subjects.
b. Control facilities may also authorize an FSS to
transmit SVFR clearances so that only one aircraft at
a time operates in the Class B, Class C, Class D, or
Class E surface areas unless pilots agree that they
will maintain visual separation with other aircraft
operating in the Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class E
surface areas. Such authorization concerning visual
separation by pilots shall be contained in a LOA
between the control facility and the FSS.
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7210.3, Para 4-3-3, Developing LOA.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 2-1-4, Operational Priority.
7-5-6. CLIMB TO VFR
Authorize an aircraft to climb to VFR upon request if
the only weather limitation is restricted visibility.
PHRASEOLOGY-
CLIMB TO V-F-R WITHIN (name) SURFACE
AREA/WITHIN (a specified distance) MILES FROM
(airport name) AIRPORT, MAINTAIN SPECIAL V-F-R
CONDITIONS UNTIL REACHING V-F-R.
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 2-1-4, Operational Priority.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 2-4-22, Airspace Classes.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 7-5-1, Authorization.
7-5-7. GROUND VISIBILITY BELOW ONE
MILE
14 CFR Part 91 does not prohibit helicopter SVFR
flight when the visibility is less than 1 mile. Treat
requests for SVFR fixed wing operations as follows
when the ground visibility is officially reported at an
airport as less than 1 mile:
a. Inform departing aircraft that ground visibility
is less than 1 mile and that a clearance cannot be
issued.
b. Inform arriving aircraft, operating outside of a
Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class E surface area, that
ground visibility is less than 1 mile and that, unless an
emergency exists, a clearance cannot be issued.
c. Inform arriving aircraft, operating VFR/SVFR
within a Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class E surface
area, that ground visibility is less than 1 mile and
request the pilot to advise intentions.
PHRASEOLOGY-
(Name of airport) VISIBILITY LESS THAN ONE MILE.
ADVISE INTENTIONS.
NOTE-
Clear an aircraft to land at an airport with an operating
control tower, traffic permitting, if the pilot reports the
airport in sight. The pilot is responsible to continue to the
airport or exit the surface area. 14 CFR Section 91.157
prohibits VFR aircraft (other than helicopters) from
landing at any airport within a surface area when ground
visibility is less than 1 mile. A pilot could inadvertently
encounter conditions that are below SVFR minimums after
entering a surface area due to rapidly changing weather.
The pilot is best suited to determine the action to be taken
since pilots operating under SVFR between sunrise and
sunset are not required to be instrument rated, and the
possibility exists that flight visibility may not be the same
as ground visibility. 14 CFR Section 91.3 authorizes a pilot
encountering an inflight emergency requiring immediate
action to deviate from any rule of 14 CFR Part 91 to the
extent required to meet that emergency. Flight into adverse
weather conditions may require the pilot to execute the
emergency authority granted in 14 CFR Section 91.3 and
continue inbound to land.
d. Authorize scheduled air carrier aircraft in the
U.S. to conduct operations if ground visibility is not
less than 1/2 statute mile.
NOTE-
14 CFR Part 121 permits landing or takeoff by domestic
scheduled air carriers where a local surface restriction to
visibility is not less than 1/2 statute mile, provided all turns
after takeoff or before landing and all flights beyond
1 statute mile from the airport boundary can be
accomplished above or outside the area so restricted. The
pilot is solely responsible for determining if the nature of
the visibility restriction will permit compliance with the
provisions of 14 CFR Part 121.
e. Clear an aircraft to fly through the Class B,
Class C, Class D, or Class E surface area if the
aircraft reports flight visibility is at least 1 statute
mile.
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 2-1-4, Operational Priority.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 7-5-1, Authorization.
7-5-8. FLIGHT VISIBILITY BELOW ONE
MILE
Treat requests for SVFR fixed-wing operations as
follows when weather conditions are not reported at
an airport and the pilot advises the flight visibility is
less than 1 mile:
NOTE-
14 CFR Part 91 prescribes the visibility for basic VFR and
SVFR operations as the official reported ground visibility
at airports where provided and landing or takeoff “flight
visibility” where there is no official reported ground
visibility.
a. Inform departing aircraft that a clearance cannot
be issued.
b. Inform arriving aircraft operating outside of a
Class B, Class C, Class D or Class E surface area that
a clearance cannot be issued unless an emergency
exists.
c. Request the intentions of an arriving aircraft
operating within a Class B, Class C, Class D, or
Class E surface area.
NOTE-
Clear an aircraft to land at an airport with an operating
control tower, traffic permitting, if the pilot reports the
airport in sight. The pilot is responsible to continue to the
airport or exit the surface area. 14 CFR Section 91.157
prohibits VFR aircraft (other than helicopters) from
landing at any airport within a surface area when flight
visibility is less than 1 mile. A pilot could inadvertently
encounter conditions that are below SVFR minimums after
entering a surface area due to rapidly changing weather.
The pilot is best suited to determine the action to be taken
since pilots operating under SVFR between sunrise and
sunset are not required to be instrument rated, and the
possibility exists that flight visibility may not be the same
as ground visibility. 14 CFR Section 91.3 authorizes a pilot
encountering an inflight emergency requiring immediate
action to deviate from any rule of 14 CFR Part 91 to the
extent required to meet that emergency. Flight into adverse
weather conditions may require the pilot to execute the
emergency authority granted in 14 CFR Section 91.3 and
continue inbound to land.
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 2-1-4, Operational Priority.
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