Quickie.....

[Soon2Bstudent]

I tried that unprofessional website but that did not answer my question, can someone here help?

Its to do with Special VFR, firstly what are the minimums for helicopters. Isn't there no visibility requirements.

Also is there extra restrictions for night SVFR helicopters?

???

[PhotoFlyer]

Special VFR 91.157

 

The gist of special VFR:

a) Clear of Clouds (all aircraft)

At least 1 mile visibility, except for helicopters

 

It doesn't specify minimums, other than clear of clouds, for helicopters. But wait...there is more.

 

AIM 4-4-5 Paragraph 3, Special VFR Clearances

 

"The restrictions in subparagraphs 1 and 2 do not apply to helicopters. Helicopters must remain clear of clouds and may operate in Class B, Class C, Class D, and Class E surface areas with less than 1 statute mile visibility."

 

As for night SVFR...it is permitted in a helicopter, the minimums are not different. Other aircraft can get SVFR at night, but the pilot must have an instrument rating.

 

You can also request (and traffic permitting) recieve a SVFR clearance at an airport that doesn't allow SVFR. AIM 4-4-5, Paragraph 3, Section e, says that the restriction only applies to fixed wing aircraft.

 

So, to boil it down, special VFR is: Clear of Clouds, See and Avoid, Day or Night.

 

::rotorhead::  ::cheers::

[SPIFR]

General Definition

 

Special VFR conditions mean meteorological conditions that are less than those required for basic VFR flight in controlled airspace and in which some aircraft are permitted flight under visual flight rules.

 

Special VFR operations means aircraft operating in accordance with clearances within controlled airspace in meteorological conditions less than the basic VFR weather minima. Such operations must be requested by the pilot and approved by ATC.

 

 

 

§ 91.157   Special VFR weather minimums.

 

(a) Except as provided in appendix D, section 3, of this part, special VFR operations may be conducted under the weather minimums and requirements of this section, instead of those contained in §91.155, below 10,000 feet MSL within the airspace contained by the upward extension of the lateral boundaries of the controlled airspace designated to the surface for an airport.

 

( Special VFR operations may only be conducted—

 

(1) With an ATC clearance;

 

(2) Clear of clouds;

 

(3) Except for helicopters, when flight visibility is at least 1 statute mile; and

 

(4) Except for helicopters, between sunrise and sunset (or in Alaska, when the sun is 6 degrees or more below the horizon) unless—   <---- (Night Special V.)

 

(i) The person being granted the ATC clearance meets the applicable requirements for instrument flight under part 61 of this chapter; and    <---- (Night Special V.)

 

(ii) The aircraft is equipped as required in §91.205(d).   <---- (Night Special V.)

 

© No person may take off or land an aircraft (other than a helicopter) under special VFR—

 

(1) Unless ground visibility is at least 1 statute mile; or

 

(2) If ground visibility is not reported, unless flight visibility is at least 1 statute mile. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term flight visibility includes the visibility from the cockpit of an aircraft in takeoff position if:

 

(i) The flight is conducted under this part 91; and

 

(ii) The airport at which the aircraft is located is a satellite airport that does not have weather reporting capabilities.

 

(d) The determination of visibility by a pilot in accordance with paragraph ©(2) of this section is not an official weather report or an official ground visibility report.

 

 

 

Under Part 91 Ops

 

In conclusion, for helicopters in both Day and Night Special V needs:

 

             1. ATC Clearance and

             2. be Clear of Clouds.

 

 

For Airplane: Day Special V needs ATC Clearence, Clear of Clouds and 1SM vis. (Some airports do not allow Special V, see Appendix. Section 3)

 

For Airplane: Night Special V needs ATC Clearance, Clear of Clouds and 1 SM vis. As well as both Pilot and Aircraft MUST be certified for instrument flight.

 

 

It is a little different for 135 ops.

[Soon2Bstudent]

Excellent replies, thank you. I think I'll keep my FAR/AIM in my car so I can look it all up myself no matter where I am.

 

I last thing though, SPIFR mentioned it is different for 135 ops. Does anyone have a couple of minutes to explain the difference?

 

 ::2thumbsat::

[delorean]

Special VFR minimums for 135:

 

1/2 sm - Day

1 sm - Night

 

.....and clear or clouds at a speed to see and avoid terrain and obstacles.

 

All companies' Ops Specs are different though.  FAR Pt 135 just spells out the absolute minimums - then you build onto those.

[SPIFR]

Ditto what delorean said. We mainly go with Company's Ops Spec.

 

If you don't have a FAR/AIM here a e-CFR if you have access to the internet.

 

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi...._02.tpl

[troops23]

Just a common sense thing, if you need SVFR at night, you need your head examined. You shouldn't be flying in those kind of conditions at night, you're just asking for it. Just my opinion, as I'm sure someone is gonna have something to say about my remark. But think about it..........do you really want to be flying at night, with 1 sm of vis, and low level cloud ???

[Phil77]

...and another thing to think about: I think you can define fog as a (very) low cloud, so to stay clear of clouds in zero visibility is pretty problematic in that context.