ENR 1.2  VISUAL FLIGHT RULES

1.2.1.  General

1.2.1.1  Visual Meteorological Conditions

  1. All aircraft operated in accordance with VFR flight procedures shall comply with the visual flight rules prescribed in this subsection.

  2. No person may operate an aircraft under VFR when the flight visibility is less than, or at a distance from the clouds that is less than that prescribed, or the corresponding altitude and class of airspace in the following table:

Airspace and VMC Minima*

Airspace class

A***BCDE

F G

ABOVE 900 M (3000 FT) or above 300 M (1000 FT) above terrain (AGL), whichever is the higher

At and below 900 M (3000 FT) or 300 M (1000 FT) above terrain (AGL), whichever is the higher

Distance from cloud

1500 M horizontally

300 M (1000 FT) vertically

Clear of cloud and in sight of the surface

Flight visibility

8 KM at and above 3050 M (10000 FT)

5 KM below 3050 M (10000 FT)

5 KM**

* When the height of the transition altitude is lower than 3050 M (10000 FT), FL 100 should be used in lieu of 10000 FT.

** When so prescribed by the appropriate ATS authority, lower flight visibilities to 1500 M may be permitted for flights operating:

1) At speeds that, in the prevailing visibility, will give adequate opportunity to observe other traffic or any obstacles in time to avoid collision; or

2) In circumstances in which the probability of encounters with other traffic would normally be low, e.g. in areas of low volume traffic and for aerial work at low levels

Helicopters may be permitted to operate in less than 1500 M flight visibility, if manoeuvred at a speed that will give adequate opportunity to observe other traffic or any obstacles in time to avoid collision.

*** The VMC minima in Class A airspace are included for guidance to pilots and do not imply acceptance of VFR flights in Class A airspace.
1.2.1.2 Except when necessary for take - off or landing, or except by permission from the appropriate authority, a VFR flight shall not be flown:

  1. Over the congested areas of cities, towns or settlements, or over open - air assembly of persons at a height of less than 300 M (1000 FT) above the highest obstacle within a radius of 600 M from the aircraft.

  2. Elsewhere than as specified in a), at a height less than 150 M (500 FT) above the ground or water.

1.2.1.3 Except where otherwise indicated in air traffic control clearances or specified by the appropriate ATS authority, VFR flight in level when operated above 900 M (3000 FT) from the ground or water, or a higher datum as specified by the appropriate ATS authority, shall be conducted at a flight level appropriate to the track as specified in the tables of cruising levels.
1.2.1.4 VFR flights shall comply with the provision of paragraph 3.6 of ICAO Annex 2:

  1. When operating within Classes B, C and D airspace;

  2. When forming part of aerodrome traffic at controlled aerodromes; or

  3. When operated as special VFR flights.

1.2.1.5 An aircraft operated in accordance with the visual flight rules which wishes to change to compliance with the instrument flight rules shall:

  1. If a flight plan was submitted, communicate the necessary changes to be effected to its current flight plan; or

  2. When so required by paragraph ICAO Annex 2 paragraph 3.3, submit a flight plan to the appropriate air traffic services unit and obtain a clearance prior to proceeding IFR.

1.2.1.6 For the provision of FIS, VFR traffic shall:

  1. Submit a FPL (in person, by fax or telephone) or AFIL;

  2. Maintain continuous two - way radio communication;

  3. Be equipped and maintain in operation SSR Transponder.

1.2.2.  VFR Weather Minima for Take - off and Landing

1.2.2.1 Except when a clearance is obtained from ATC, no person may land or take - off an aircraft under VFR from an aerodrome located within a control zone, or enter the aerodrome traffic zone (ATZ) or traffic pattern airspace, unless the:

  1. Reported ceiling is at least 450 M (1500 FT); and

  2. Reported ground visibility is at least 5 KM, if reported.

1.2.2.2 No person may land or take - off an aircraft or enter the traffic pattern under VFR from an aerodrome located outside a control zone, unless VMC conditions are at or above those indicated in 1.2.1.1 (VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS).
1.2.2.3 The only exception to the required weather minima of this subsection is during a Special VFR operation.

1.2.3.  Special VFR Operations

1.2.3.1 No person may conduct a Special VFR flight operation to enter traffic pattern, land or take - off an aircraft under special VFR from an aerodrome located in Class B, Class C, Class D or Class E airspace unless:

  1. Authorized by an ATC clearance;

  2. The aircraft remains clear of clouds; and

  3. The flight visibility is at least 1600 M.

1.2.3.2 No person may conduct a Special VFR flight operation in an aircraft between sunset and sunrise unless the:

  1. The PIC is current and qualified for IFR operations; and

  2. The aircraft is qualified to be operated for IFR flight.

1.2.4.  VFR Cruising Altitudes

See table of cruising levels in ENR 1.7.5.

1.2.5.  ATC Clearances for VFR Flights

Each pilot of a VFR flight shall obtain and comply with ATC clearances and maintain a listening watch before and during operations:

  1. Within Classes B, C and D airspace;

  2. As part of aerodrome traffic at controlled aerodromes; and

  3. Under Special VFR.

1.2.6.  VFR Flights requiring ATC Authorisation

Unless authorized by the appropriate ATC authority, no pilot may operate in VFR flight:

  1. Above FL 200; or

  2. At transonic and supersonic speeds.

    Note: ATC authorisation for VFR flights may not be granted in areas where a vertical separation minimum of only 300 M (1000 FT) is applied above FL 290.

1.2.7.  Weather deteriorating below VMC

Each pilot of a VFR flight operated as a controlled flight shall, when he or she finds it is not possible to maintain flight in VMC in accordance to ATC flight plan:

  1. Request and amended clearance enabling the aircraft to continue in VMC to its destination or top an alternate aerodrome or to leave the airspace within which an ATC clearance is required;

  2. If no clearance can be obtained, continue to operate in VMC and notify appropriate ATC facility of the action being taken either to leave the airspace concerned or to land at the nearest suitable aerodrome;

  3. If operating within a control zone, request authorisation to operate as a Special VFR flight; or

  4. Request clearance to operate in IFR, if currently rated for IFR operations.

1.2.8.  Changing from VFR to IFR

Each pilot operating in VFR who wishes to change IFR shall:

  1. If a flight plan was submitted, communicate the necessary changes to be effected to its current flight plan; or

  2. Submit a flight plan to the appropriate ATC facility and to obtain a clearance prior to proceeding IFR when in controlled airspace.

1.2.9.  Two - way Radio Communication Failure in VFR

If radio failure occurs in VFR while under ATC control, or if VFR conditions are encountered after the failure, each pilot shall:

  1. Continue the flight under VFR;

  2. Land at nearest suitable aerodrome; and

  3. Report arrival to ATC by the most expeditious means possible.