AIM ¶ 5-1-2 — IFR Procedures While VFR
AIM 5-1-2 explains how VFR pilots can maintain IFR proficiency: preflight briefings, flight plans, charts, navaids, and night altitude practices.
In Plain English
AIM 5-1-2 is a recommended practice (not a regulation) urging pilots to use IFR-style discipline even on VFR flights to stay sharp and safe. The AIM suggests:
- Get a complete preflight briefing and check NOTAMs. You don't have to call Flight Service — automated tools and the FNS NOTAM Search site provide a regulatory-compliant briefing. Review AC 91-92 for guidance.
- File a flight plan. It's cheap insurance — if you go overdue, someone will look for you. File via website, app, or Flight Service.
- Use current charts and navigation aids — practice keeping the needle centered.
- Maintain a constant altitude appropriate for direction of flight.
- Estimate en route times and make position reports to FSSs.
- Practice simulated IFR (under the hood), but follow 14 CFR 91.109 (safety pilot, dual controls, etc.).
- At night, fly at or above the minimum en route altitude (MEA) shown on charts — especially over mountains. Don't trust your eyes to spot unlit terrain or even lit towers.
Why it matters: this builds habits — briefings, planning, precise navigation, and altitude awareness — that prevent CFIT, lost-pilot scenarios, and complacency on VFR flights.
AIM Source Text
FAA AIM ¶ 5-1-25-1-2. 5-1-2. Follow IFR Procedures Even When Operating VFR
To maintain IFR proficiency, pilots are urged to practice IFR procedures whenever possible, even when operating VFR. Some suggested practices include: Obtain a complete preflight briefing and check NOTAMs. Prior to every flight, pilots should gather all information vital to the nature of the flight. Pilots can receive a regulatory compliant briefing without contacting Flight Service. Pilots are encouraged to use automated resources and review AC 91-92, Pilot's Guide to a Preflight Briefing, for more information. NOTAMs are available online from the Federal NOTAM System (FNS) NOTAM Search website (https://notams.aim.faa.gov/notamSearch/), private vendors, or on request from Flight Service. File a flight plan. This is an excellent low cost insurance policy. The cost is the time it takes to fill it out. The insurance includes the knowledge that someone will be looking for you if you become overdue at your destination. Pilots can file flight plans either by using a website or by calling Flight Service. Flight planning applications are also available to file, activate, and close VFR flight plans. Use current charts. Use the navigation aids. Practice maintaining a good course-keep the needle centered. Maintain a constant altitude which is appropriate for the direction of flight. Estimate en route position times. Make accurate and frequent position reports to the FSSs along your route of flight. Simulated IFR flight is recommended (under the hood); however, pilots are cautioned to review and adhere to the requirements specified in 14 CFR section 91.109 before and during such flight. When flying VFR at night, in addition to the altitude appropriate for the direction of flight, pilots should maintain an altitude which is at or above the minimum en route altitude as shown on charts. This is especially true in mountainous terrain, where there is usually very little ground reference. Do not depend on your eyes alone to avoid rising unlighted terrain, or even lighted obstructions such as TV towers.
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What does the AIM recommend regarding IFR procedures when flying VFR, and is it required?
Per AIM 5-1-2, pilots are urged — not required — to practice IFR procedures while flying VFR to maintain proficiency. It's a recommended practice, including obtaining a complete briefing, checking NOTAMs, filing a flight plan, using current charts and navaids, holding altitude and course, and making position reports.
Q2What altitude considerations does the AIM give for VFR flight at night, especially in mountainous terrain?
Per AIM 5-1-2, when flying VFR at night, pilots should maintain an altitude appropriate for direction of flight AND at or above the minimum en route altitude (MEA) shown on charts. This is especially important in mountainous terrain where ground reference is poor — pilots should not rely on their eyes alone to avoid unlighted terrain or even lighted obstructions like TV towers.
Q3If you want to practice simulated instrument flight under the hood on a VFR flight, what does the AIM tell you to consult?
Per AIM 5-1-2, simulated IFR flight under the hood is recommended for proficiency, but pilots are cautioned to review and adhere to the requirements of 14 CFR 91.109 before and during such flight — which covers requirements like a qualified safety pilot and adequate vision forward and to each side.
Related Paragraphs in AIM Chapter 5