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Basic VFR and Special VFR — Basic VFR Last updated: 2017-12-02

1. Basic VFR


a. The Federal Aviation Regulations part 91.155 “Basic VFR weather minimums” provides the basic VFR weather minimums to be used by pilots, which require ceiling of 1000 ft or greater and visibility of 3SM or greater when operating in controlled airspace designated to the surface for an airport. The 14 CFR prohibits pilots from operating VFR when weather conditions are below those prescribed for basic VFR.


b. In the event a pilot requests VFR operations under weather conditions lower than those of the basic VFR minimums, vZLA controllers should advise the pilot of the current weather conditions and ask the pilot to advise intentions.


EXAMPLE-
“(airport name) reports visibility less than 3 miles and/or ceiling less than 1,000. Advise intentions.”


NOTE-


Due to the nature of VATSIM, pilots may set different weather in their simulator. If the pilot insists that basic VFR can be maintained, controllers may approve such a request when it will have no adverse effect on safety of the air traffic operation or result in a reduction of service to other users.


{Reference: 14 CFR section 91.155 “Basic VFR weather minimums.”}