FAA Sport Pilot Airplane (SPA)Airspace and NavigationMedium
A pilot arrives at a Class D airport where the ceiling is 500 feet and visibility is 1 statute mile, below basic VFR minimums. ATC issues a Special VFR clearance. What visibility and cloud clearance must the pilot maintain while operating under this Special VFR clearance?
- A3 statute miles visibility and remain clear of clouds
- B1 statute mile flight visibility and remain clear of clouds
- C3 statute miles visibility, 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, and 2,000 feet horizontal from clouds
- D1 statute mile visibility and 500 feet below clouds only
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 1 statute mile flight visibility and remain clear of clouds
Under 14 CFR 91.157, a Special VFR clearance requires the pilot to maintain at least 1 statute mile flight visibility and remain clear of clouds while operating within the surface area of controlled airspace.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 3 SM visibility is the basic VFR minimum, not the reduced Special VFR minimum.
- C. This describes standard basic VFR cloud clearance minimums above 1,200 feet AGL, not Special VFR.
- D. Special VFR requires clear of clouds, not merely 500 feet below them.
Special VFR Clearance
An ATC clearance allowing VFR flight within the surface area of controlled airspace when weather is below basic VFR minimums, requiring at least 1 SM visibility and clear of clouds.
- Requires ATC clearance
- Minimum 1 SM flight visibility, clear of clouds
- Night Special VFR requires the pilot to hold an instrument rating
Memory trick: 'Special' means Slim minimums: 1 mile, clear of clouds.