AIM ¶ 4-3-16 — VFR Terminal Area Practices
AIM 4-3-16 explains good-judgment VFR practices in terminal areas: cloud margins, approach areas, reduced visibility, and simulated instrument flights.
In Plain English
AIM 4-3-16 reminds pilots that VFR weather minimums are minimums — not targets. Operating right at the legal limits in busy terminal airspace is rarely good judgment. The AIM recommends giving yourself a larger safety margin, especially in three situations:
- Approach Areas: Flying VFR in Class B, C, D, or E surface areas with reported visibility of only 3 or 4 miles is legal, but you should stay clear of the approach area where IFR traffic is arriving.
- Reduced Visibility: Precipitation reduces forward visibility. Even though you may legally cancel an IFR flight plan once you can proceed VFR, it's better practice to continue IFR into the terminal area until you're reasonably close to your destination when precipitation is occurring.
- Simulated Instrument Flights: When practicing under the hood, ensure the weather is good enough to offset the safety pilot's restricted visibility and your own focus on the instruments. Add extra margin near busy airways or airports.
This guidance is advisory (recommended practice), not a regulation, but DPEs expect you to demonstrate this kind of judgment.
AIM Source Text
FAA AIM ¶ 4-3-164-3-16. 4-3-16. VFR Flights in Terminal Areas
Use reasonable restraint in exercising the prerogative of VFR flight, especially in terminal areas. The weather minimums and distances from clouds are minimums. Giving yourself a greater margin in specific instances is just good judgment. Approach Area. Conducting a VFR operation in a Class B, Class C, Class D, and Class E surface area when the official visibility is 3 or 4 miles is not prohibited, but good judgment would dictate that you keep out of the approach area. Reduced Visibility. It has always been recognized that precipitation reduces forward visibility. Consequently, although again it may be perfectly legal to cancel your IFR flight plan at any time you can proceed VFR, it is good practice, when precipitation is occurring, to continue IFR operation into a terminal area until you are reasonably close to your destination. Simulated Instrument Flights. In conducting simulated instrument flights, be sure that the weather is good enough to compensate for the restricted visibility of the safety pilot and your greater concentration on your flight instruments. Give yourself a little greater margin when your flight plan lies in or near a busy airway or close to an airport.
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1If visibility is 3 miles in a Class C surface area, can you legally fly VFR? What does the AIM recommend?
Per AIM 4-3-16, VFR operations in Class B, C, D, or E surface areas are not prohibited at 3 or 4 miles visibility, but good judgment dictates keeping out of the approach area where IFR arrivals occur.
Q2You're on an IFR flight plan in light rain approaching your destination. What does the AIM suggest about cancelling IFR?
Per AIM 4-3-16, although it's legal to cancel IFR any time you can proceed VFR, when precipitation is occurring it is good practice to continue IFR operation into the terminal area until you are reasonably close to your destination, since precipitation reduces forward visibility.
Q3What weather considerations does AIM 4-3-16 recommend for simulated instrument flights?
Per AIM 4-3-16, ensure the weather is good enough to compensate for the safety pilot's restricted visibility and your greater concentration on flight instruments, and allow a greater margin when operating in or near busy airways or close to an airport.
Related Paragraphs in AIM Chapter 4