Visual Flight Rules – Canadian Flight Trainers

Visual Flight Rules (VFR) is the set of regulations under which a pilot operates an aircraft in weather conditions generally clear enough to allow the pilot to see where the aircraft is going, navigate by visual reference to the ground or water, and maintain separation from terrain and other aircraft visually.

VFR vs. IFR

VFR: Pilot navigates visually; responsible for own separation from terrain and VFR traffic; no ATC clearance required in Class G; limited weather minima
IFR: Pilot navigates by instruments; ATC provides separation from other IFR aircraft; clearance required in controlled airspace; flight permitted in any weather

VFR Minima

VFR requires VMC — conditions at or above the applicable ceiling and visibility minima for the airspace class. The minima vary: controlled airspace below 10,000 ft requires ceiling ≥ 1,000 ft and visibility ≥ 3 SM; above 10,000 ft, higher minima apply. Uncontrolled airspace permits 1 SM visibility and clear of cloud at and above 1,000 ft AGL.

VFR vs. IFR

VFR Minima

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