{"id":"F2010L01271","name":"CASA 143/10 – Determination – flight visibility and distance from cloud in V.F.R. flights - Direction – Special V.F.R. flights","slug":"casa-143-10-determination-flight-visibility-and-distance-from-cloud-in-v-f-r-flights-direction-speci","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":83615,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2010L01271-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"CASA 143/10 – Determination – flight visibility and distance from cloud in V.F.R. flights - Direction – Special V.F.R. flights","content":"Instrument number CASA 143/10\n\nI, JOHN FRANCIS McCORMICK, Director of Aviation Safety, on behalf of CASA, make this instrument under subregulations 92 (2), 99AA (5), 172 (2A), and regulation 303A of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 (CAR 1988).\n\n\\[Signed John F. McCormick\\]\n\nJohn F. McCormick \nDirector of Aviation Safety\n\n25 May 2010\n\nDetermination — flight visibility and distance from cloud in V.F.R. flights\n\nDirection — Special V.F.R. flights\n\n1 Commencement\n\nThis instrument commences on 3 June 2010.\n\n2 Revocation\n\nCASA instrument SRS 3/1992 is revoked.\n\n3 Determination — applicable distance for flight visibility\n\nThe applicable distance for flight visibility during a V.F.R. flight for the airspace, aircraft and height mentioned in an item in Schedule 1 is not less than the relevant distance mentioned in column 5 of the item.\n\n4 Determination — applicable distances for cloud\n\nThe applicable distances for vertical and horizontal distances from cloud during a V.F.R. flight for the airspace, aircraft and height mentioned in an item in Schedule 1 are not less than the relevant distances mentioned in column 6 of the item.\n\n5 Direction —aircraft engaged in Special V.F.R. flights\n\nThe pilot of an aircraft may only conduct a flight in Class C or Class D airspace under the Special V.F.R. (SVFR) if:\n\n(a) the flight is conducted clear of cloud; and\n\n(b) flight visibility is not less than the following:\n\n(i) for an aeroplane — 1 600 m;\n\n(ii) for a helicopter — 800 m;\n\n(iii) for a balloon:\n\n(A) 100 m for a height below 500 ft AGL; or\n\n(B) 1 600 m for a height above 500 ft AGL; and\n\n(c) for a helicopter — the aircraft is operated at a speed that allows the pilot adequate opportunity to see any obstructions or air traffic in sufficient time to avoid collision; and\n\n(d) the flight is conducted in accordance with the requirements of regulation 157 of CAR 1988 in relation to low flying; and\n\n(e) the pilot has SVFR clearance from ATC.\n\n6 Conditions\n\nEach applicable distance for flight visibility, and each vertical and horizontal distance from cloud, mentioned in an item in Schedule 1 is to be applied subject to the conditions mentioned in column 7 of the item.\n\n \n\nSchedule 1 Applicable distance for flight visibility and applicable distances for cloud\n\nKey:\n\nAMSL means above mean sea level.\n\nAGL means above ground level.\n\n```html\n

Column 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Item

Class of Airspace

Type of aircraft

Height at which applicable

Applicable distance for flight visibility

Applicable distances for vertical and horizontal distances from cloud visibility

Conditions

1

Class A

Not applicable

See Note 1.

2

Class C

Aeroplanes, helicopters and balloons

At or above 10 000 ft AMSL

8 km

1 000 ft vertical

1 500 m horizontal

Subject to alternative ATC permission for SVFR. See Note 2.

3

Class C

Aeroplanes, helicopters and balloons

Below 10 000 ft AMSL

5 000 m

1 000 ft vertical

1 500 m horizontal

Subject to alternative ATC permission for SVFR. See Note 2.

4

Class D

Aeroplanes, helicopters and balloons

All of the Class D airspace

5 000 m

1 000 ft above

500 ft below

600 m horizontal

Subject to alternative ATC permission for SVFR. See Note 2.

5

Class E

Aeroplanes, helicopters and balloons

At or above 10 000 ft AMSL

8 km

1 000 ft vertical

1 500 m horizontal

6

Class E

Aeroplanes, helicopters and balloons

Below 10 000 ft AMSL

5 000 m

1 000 ft vertical

1 500 m horizontal

7

Class G

Aeroplanes, helicopters and balloons

At or above 10 000 ft AMSL

8 km

1 000 ft vertical

1 500 m horizontal

8

Class G

Aeroplanes, helicopters and balloons

Subject to items 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13, below 10 000 ft AMSL

5 000 m

1 000 ft vertical

1 500 m horizontal

9

Class G

Aeroplanes, helicopters and balloons

Subject to items 10, 11, 12 and 13, at or below whichever is the higher of:

(a) 3 000 ft AMSL;

(b) 1 000 ft AGL

5 000 m

Clear of cloud and in sight of ground or water

Radio must be carried and used on the appropriate frequency

10

Class G

Helicopters

(a) Below 700 ft above ground; or

(b) below 700 ft above water when operating at a distance from land that allows compli-ance with sub-regulation 258 (1) of CAR 1988. See Note 3.

800 m

Clear of cloud

(a) Day operation only;

(b) at a speed that allows the pilot adequate opportunity to see any obstructions or air traffic in sufficient time to avoid collision;

(c) if operating less than 10 NM from an aerodrome with an approved instrument approach procedure — then:

(i) in accordance with all requirements to report, broadcast and maintain a listening watch; and

(ii) maintaining a separation of at least 500 ft vertically from any aircraft conducting an IFR operation less than 10 NM from the aero-drome.

11

Class G

Helicopters

Below 700 ft above water when operating at a distance from land greater than that which allows compliance with subregulation 258 (1) of CAR 1988. See Note 3.

1. 5 000 m, if only condition 1 is com-plied with

1. 600 m horizontal and 500 ft vertical, if only con-dition 1 is complied with

1. (a) Day operation only;

(b) at a speed that allows the pilot adequate opportunity to see any obstructions or air traffic in sufficient time to avoid collision;

(c) if operating less than 10 NM from an aerodrome with an approved instrument approach procedure — then:

(i) in accord-ance with all require-ments to report, broadcast and main-tain a listening watch; and

(ii) maintaining a separation of at least 500 ft verti-cally from any aircraft conducting an IFR operation less than 10 NM from the aero-drome.

2. The applicable distances for vertical and horizontal distances from cloud visibility do not apply if the helicopter:

(a) uses track guidance provided by an approved operating radio navigation aid; and

(b) is equipped with a comple-mentary radio navigation system.

2. 800 m, if conditions 1 and 2 are both complied with

2. Clear of cloud, if conditions 1 and 2 are both com-plied with

12

Class G

Balloons

Below 1 500 ft above ground or water

5 000 m

Clear of cloud

No vertical clearance from cloud below the balloon is required provided:

(a) the top of the cloud is at or below 500 ft above ground or water; and

(b) the balloon is at least 10 NM from an aerodrome with an approved instrument approach procedure

13

Class G

Balloons

Below 500 ft above ground or water

100 m

Not applicable

Day operation only provided the balloon is at least 10 NM from an aerodrome with an approved instrument approach procedure.

\n```\n\n> Note 1 V.F.R. aircraft are not permitted to fly in Class A airspace.\n\n> Note 2 SVFR means Special Visual Flight Rules and is dealt with in subregulations 172 (4) and (5) of CAR 1988.\n\n> Note 3 Subregulation 258 (1) of CAR 1988 provides that the pilot in command of the aircraft must not fly over water at a distance from land greater than the distance from which the aircraft could reach land if the engine, or, in the case of a multi-engined aircraft, the critical engine (being the engine the non-operation of which when the other engines are in operation gives the highest minimum speed at which the aircraft can be controlled) were inoperative.\n\n> Note: Subregulation 258 (3) provides that it is a defence to a prosecution under subregulation 258 (1) of CAR 1988 if the flight was in accordance with directions issued by CASA. CASA has issued Directions which, if complied with during a permitted flight over water, would allow the flight to be at the greater distance mentioned in subregulation 258 (1).","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The instrument expressly revokes CASA instrument SRS 3/1992 (clause 2) and replaces it with a new schedule of numeric visibility and cloud‑separation minima and SVFR directions (clauses 3–5 and Schedule 1). That revocation-plus-replacement indicates a change in scope insofar as this instrument updates and consolidates the applicable distances and operational conditions; the instrument text does not quantify how each specific minimum differs from the revoked instrument."},"complexity_factors":["Detailed matrix of minima by airspace class, aircraft type and altitude in Schedule 1 (clauses 3–4 and Schedule 1)","Multiple conditional exceptions and layered conditions tied to specific items in the Schedule (clause 6; Schedule 1 columns and notes)","Different rules for SVFR versus standard VFR, with distinct minima for aeroplanes, helicopters and balloons (clause 5; Schedule 1 items 2–4)","Cross-references to Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 (CAR 1988) and specific subregulations (instrument header; notes referencing regs 157, 172, 258)","Operational discretion and permission elements (ATC/SVFR clearance, alternative ATC permission noted in Schedule 1 conditions)","Equipment and operational prerequisites tied to exceptions (radio carriage/use, navigation/track guidance and complementary radio navigation system for helicopters in specified items)"],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument revokes CASA instrument SRS 3/1992 and sets the minimum flight-visibility and cloud‑separation distances that apply to VFR flights, varying by airspace class, aircraft type (aeroplane, helicopter, balloon) and altitude (see Schedule 1). It also prescribes conditions for Special VFR in Class C and D airspace, including specific minima by aircraft type and requirements such as ATC clearance, speed limitations for helicopters and radio/listening obligations."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument appears tightly scoped to its original purpose of specifying flight visibility and cloud clearance distances for VFR operations. It replaces a 1992 predecessor instrument (SRS 3/1992) and maintains the same essential structure: a determination for standard VFR plus a direction for Special VFR. The inclusion of helicopter and balloon-specific provisions reflects the original regulatory intent to cover all VFR aircraft categories, not scope creep."},"complexity_factors":["13 separate items in Schedule 1 with overlapping conditions and cross-references between items","Multiple variables intersecting: 5 airspace classes (A, C, D, E, G), 3 aircraft types, multiple height bands (AMSL and AGL)","Nested conditional logic in items 10-13 with alternative compliance paths (e.g., item 11 has two sets of visibility/cloud distances depending on which conditions are met)","External references to CAR 1988 regulations (subregulations 258(1), 172(4)-(5), regulation 157) without reproducing their text","Dual measurement systems (metric for horizontal distances: metres/kilometres; imperial for vertical: feet)","Special VFR rules in section 5 operate as a separate permission regime with 5 cumulative conditions"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA instrument sets the minimum flight-visibility and cloud-clearance requirements for pilots flying VFR (aeroplanes, helicopters, balloons) in Australian airspace. It prescribes visibility minima (roughly 100 m–8 km depending on airspace, aircraft and altitude), required separation from clouds, Special VFR minima for controlled airspace, and tailored exceptions for low helicopter or balloon operations and aerodrome proximity. By consolidating and updating earlier rules, it ensures visual separation to prevent collisions and controlled-flight-into-terrain."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/casa-143-10-determination-flight-visibility-and-distance-from-cloud-in-v-f-r-flights-direction-speci","history":"/api/acts/casa-143-10-determination-flight-visibility-and-distance-from-cloud-in-v-f-r-flights-direction-speci/history","analysis":"/api/acts/casa-143-10-determination-flight-visibility-and-distance-from-cloud-in-v-f-r-flights-direction-speci/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/casa-143-10-determination-flight-visibility-and-distance-from-cloud-in-v-f-r-flights-direction-speci/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/casa-143-10-determination-flight-visibility-and-distance-from-cloud-in-v-f-r-flights-direction-speci/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/casa-143-10-determination-flight-visibility-and-distance-from-cloud-in-v-f-r-flights-direction-speci/documents"}}