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What Is Special VFR (SVFR) and How Can You Use It?

Pilot Institute

Special VFR is a clearance issued by Air Traffic Control (ATC) that allows pilots to operate in weather conditions below the standard VFR minimums. Lets take a look at special VFR clearances in detail so that you can make an informed decision about using them in the future. Student pilots cannot request Special VFR clearances.

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Quiz: Airspace classifications and rules

Flight Training Central

What is the minimum ceiling and visibility for takeoff, landing, or entering the traffic pattern of an airport in Class E airspace under visual flight rules? A ceiling of 1,000 feet and have visibility of at least 3 statute miles. A ceiling of 1,000 feet and have visibility of at least 3 statute miles.

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How to Choose the Best Alternate Airport for Your IFR Flight: A Pilot’s Guide

Flight Training Central

IFR Alternate Airport Planning While every IFR flight requires you to file an IFR flight plan and receive an ATC clearance, not every flight is flown in IFR conditions. While every IFR flight requires you to file an IFR flight plan and receive an ATC clearance, not every flight is flown in IFR conditions.

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How to get an IFR clearance at a non-towered airport

Flight Training Central

For an instrument pilot, though, there is one key difference between a smaller, non-towered airport and a larger one with an air traffic control tower: obtaining an IFR clearance. Call for your IFR clearance, including route, altitude, and transponder code. Here are three ways to get a clearance at a non-towered airport.

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How to Choose the Best Alternate Airport: A Guide for Instrument Pilots

Flight Training Central

Reality IFR Alternate Airport Planning Contingency planning is even more important for IFR pilots on cross-country flights where a cloud ceiling shift of 100’ or visibility change of a ½ mile can mean the difference between seeing the runway at the end of an instrument approach or having to go around and find another place to land.

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Long Trips & Small Airplanes

Plane and Pilot

The route is simple, GPS direct, but…there’s my personal 1,000-foot en route ceiling requirement, and those silly Smoky Mountains. Also, from when I lived out West, there was the mountaintop clearance guideline—1,000 feet for every 10 knots of wind, with 30 knots meaning no-go. It was now time to plan the trip.

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How Low is Too Low?

Plane and Pilot

The conditions were a mile of visibility and about 500 feet of ragged ceiling, barely enough to maintain orientation by landmarks passing below. A low ceiling absolutely ends a planned flight, though visibility may be the legal determining factor in some situations. If on radar vectors, the controller may have another option for you.

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