Aviation glossary
VFR
Visual Flight Rules — the pilot navigates by outside visual reference and must meet VMC minima.
VFR (Visual Flight Rules) is the most common flight regime for light helicopters. The pilot must maintain visual contact with the ground or horizon and meet minimum visibility and cloud-clearance requirements (VMC) for the class of airspace and altitude. VFR flight can still use charts, GPS and radio navigation, but the primary reference remains "see and avoid". Night VFR needs a separate rating — see Night Rating.
Related terms
- IFRInstrument Flight Rules — the pilot navigates by radio-navigation instruments independently of outside visibility.
- VMCVisual Meteorological Conditions — the visibility and cloud-clearance minima that must be met for a VFR flight.
- IMCInstrument Meteorological Conditions — weather that does not meet VMC. Flight is only possible under IFR with the appropriate rating.
- Special VFRA VFR flight cleared by ATC to operate within a control zone in conditions below the standard VMC minima. The pilot is responsible for obstacle clearance.
- VFR ManualA publication for VFR pilots. Contains aerodrome charts, procedures and frequencies in a more accessible form than the AIP.