jackg (05/11/82)
The subject of when vfr operation in a control zone is legal doesn't seem to be spelled out to logically in the FARs and I can't get a consistent answer from any of the CFIs that I have talked to. Specifically, if the weather at the airport is below 1000 ft ceiling or visibility is less than 3 miles then is ANY vfr operation in the entire control zone illegal? If the airport has a layer of fog and otherwise everything is cavu, can a vfr flight overfly the airport at 10000 ft without requesting a special vfr clearance? One interpretation I heard is that special vfr is required only UNDER the ceiling. So what is the rule if the ceiling is at 12000 feet and the visibility at the airport is under 3 miles due to, for example, blowing dust. Is a special vfr clearance required to overfly at 7000 feet? In both these cases it seems that there is no real chance of interference with ifr traffic at the airport but the rules seem to say that vfr is forbidden. I like to think that there is some functional reason behind all the rules but I am having troubles with this one. Any comments? Jack Gjovaag Tek Labs Tektronix
ark (05/11/82)
I just checked with the FAA's Teterboro office about this one. A Special VFR clearance is NOT required to operate in a control zone -- it is required to operate in an airport traffic area. Thus if you stay 3000 feet or more above the field and the weather is VFR where you are, you're legal even if the airport is IFR. Of course if the airport is VFR then the control zone doesn't exist and the issue is moot.