Special VFR Minimums

FAR 91.157 — Special VFR Minimums

FAR 91.157 explains Special VFR rules: ATC clearance, clear of clouds, 1 SM visibility, and night requirements. Key knowledge for written and oral exams.

In Plain English

Special VFR (SVFR) lets you operate in controlled airspace to the surface around an airport when weather is below normal VFR minimums in § 91.155. It applies below 10,000 feet MSL within the lateral boundaries of that surface area (extended upward). SVFR is not allowed at airports listed in Appendix D, Section 3.

To fly SVFR, you must have:

An ATC clearance (you must request it).
Flight conditions clear of clouds.
Flight visibility of at least 1 statute mile (except helicopters).
Operations between sunrise and sunset (except helicopters), unless the pilot is instrument-rated and current under Part 61 and the aircraft is IFR-equipped per § 91.205(d).

For takeoff or landing (non-helicopter), ground visibility must be at least 1 SM. If ground visibility isn't reported, flight visibility of 1 SM works — and at a Part 91 satellite airport without weather reporting, the pilot may use cockpit visibility from the takeoff position. That pilot determination is not an official weather report.

Operationally, SVFR is a useful tool to depart or arrive under marginal weather, but it requires careful judgment — you're flying low, slow, and close to clouds.

Regulation Text

14 CFR § 91.157

§ 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. (b) 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 less below the horizon) unless— (i) The person being granted the ATC clearance meets the applicable requirements for instrument flight under part 61 of this chapter; and (ii) The aircraft is equipped as required in § 91.205(d). (c) 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 (c)(2) of this section is not an official weather report or an official ground visibility report. [Amdt. 91-235, 58 FR 51968, Oct. 5, 1993, as amended by Amdt. 91-247, 60 FR 66874, Dec. 27, 1995; Amdt. 91-262, 65 FR 16116, Mar. 24, 2000; Docket FAA-2022-1355, Amdt. 91-366, 87 FR 75846, Dec. 9, 2022]

Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1What are the weather and clearance requirements to operate Special VFR in a fixed-wing airplane?

Per FAR 91.157, you need an ATC clearance, must remain clear of clouds, and have at least 1 statute mile flight visibility, with ground visibility of at least 1 SM (or flight visibility of 1 SM if ground visibility isn't reported) for takeoff or landing.

Q2Can you request Special VFR at night, and if so what's required?

Yes. FAR 91.157 allows Special VFR at night (outside sunrise-to-sunset) only if the pilot meets the instrument flight requirements under Part 61 and the aircraft is equipped per § 91.205(d) for IFR.

Q3Up to what altitude does Special VFR apply, and where is it not allowed?

FAR 91.157 applies below 10,000 feet MSL within the lateral boundaries of controlled airspace designated to the surface, and it is not authorized at airports listed in Appendix D, Section 3 of Part 91.

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Related Sections in Part 91

§ 91.1

Part 91 Applicability