1CASA 143/10 – Determination – flight visibility and distance from cloud in V.F.R. flights - Direction – Special V.F.R. flights

Instrument number CASA 143/10

I, 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).

[Signed John F. McCormick]

John F. McCormick
Director of Aviation Safety

25 May 2010

Determination — flight visibility and distance from cloud in V.F.R. flights

Direction — Special V.F.R. flights

1 Commencement

This instrument commences on 3 June 2010.

2 Revocation

CASA instrument SRS 3/1992 is revoked.

3 Determination — applicable distance for flight visibility

The 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.

4 Determination — applicable distances for cloud

The 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.

5 Direction —aircraft engaged in Special V.F.R. flights

The pilot of an aircraft may only conduct a flight in Class C or Class D airspace under the Special V.F.R. (SVFR) if:

(a) the flight is conducted clear of cloud; and

(b) flight visibility is not less than the following:

(i) for an aeroplane — 1 600 m;

(ii) for a helicopter — 800 m;

(iii) for a balloon:

(A) 100 m for a height below 500 ft AGL; or

(B) 1 600 m for a height above 500 ft AGL; and

(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

(d) the flight is conducted in accordance with the requirements of regulation 157 of CAR 1988 in relation to low flying; and

(e) the pilot has SVFR clearance from ATC.

6 Conditions

Each 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.

Schedule 1 Applicable distance for flight visibility and applicable distances for cloud

Key:

AMSL means above mean sea level.

AGL means above ground level.