§ 91.157 Special VFR weather minimums.
(a) Except as provided in appendix D, section 3, of this part, special VFR operations may be conducted under the weather minimums and requirements of this section, instead of those contained in § 91.155, below 10,000 feet MSL within the airspace contained by the upward extension of the lateral boundaries of the controlled airspace designated to the surface for an airport.

(b) Special VFR operations may only be conducted -

(1) With an ATC clearance;

(2) Clear of clouds;

(3) Except for helicopters, when flight visibility is at least 1 statute mile; and

(4) Except for helicopters, between sunrise and sunset (or in Alaska, when the sun is 6 degrees or more below the horizon) unless -

(i) The person being granted the ATC clearance meets the applicable requirements for instrument flight under part 61 of this chapter; and

(ii) The aircraft is equipped as required in § 91.205(d).

(c) No person may take off or land an aircraft (other than a helicopter) under special VFR -

(1) Unless ground visibility is at least 1 statute mile; or

(2) If ground visibility is not reported, unless flight visibility is at least 1 statute mile. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term flight visibility includes the visibility from the cockpit of an aircraft in takeoff position if:

(i) The flight is conducted under this part 91; and

(ii) The airport at which the aircraft is located is a satellite airport that does not have weather reporting capabilities.

(d) The determination of visibility by a pilot in accordance with paragraph (c)(2) of this section is not an official weather report or an official ground visibility report.

[Amdt. 91-235, 58 FR 51968, Oct. 5, 1993, as amended by Amdt. 91-247, 60 FR 66874, Dec. 27, 1995; Amdt. 91-262, 65 FR 16116, Mar. 24, 2000]

alaskaoe wrote:I have received SVFR clearances in such conditions quite a few times, legal, safe and acceptable.

8GCBC wrote: Just wanted to confirm if I was on the right sheet of music requesting SVFR at small airports. Will definitely consider the option out in “Nowhere’s Land”. You never know who’s watching these day!

CamTom12 wrote:Yeah, I get SVFR when it’s safe and I need to operate.

I got caught in some smoke in Fairbanks a few years ago and it was the only way back into Chen’s Marina. Had to orbit outside the D until they landed some commercial traffic though.

S2D wrote:

8GCBC wrote: Just wanted to confirm if I was on the right sheet of music requesting SVFR at small airports. Will definitely consider the option out in “Nowhere’s Land”. You never know who’s watching these day!

Just remember. Except at airports with certified weather stations/observers, current conditions are not determined by someone on the ground.
Sent from my E6910 using Tapatalk

(2) If ground visibility is not reported, unless flight visibility is at least 1 statute mile. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term flight visibility includes the visibility from the cockpit of an aircraft in takeoff position if:

(i) The flight is conducted under this part 91; and

(ii) The airport at which the aircraft is located is a satellite airport that does not have weather reporting capabilities.

(d) The determination of visibility by a pilot in accordance with paragraph (c)(2) of this section is not an official weather report or an official ground visibility report.

mtv wrote:No mysteries regarding SVFR. First thing: ATC cannot offer or suggest SVFR, pilot must request, and be familiar with the requirements.

I prefer to call the controlling agency rather than Flight Service....Flight Service just has to call the ATC anyway, so may as we’ll talk to the person with the power.

In parts of Alaska, SVFR is almost a way of life, and no big deal.

Just make sure you can maintain SVFR conditions.

MTV

mtv wrote:No mysteries regarding SVFR. First thing: ATC cannot offer or suggest SVFR, pilot must request, and be familiar with the requirements.

I prefer to call the controlling agency rather than Flight Service....Flight Service just has to call the ATC anyway, so may as we’ll talk to the person with the power.

In parts of Alaska, SVFR is almost a way of life, and no big deal.

Just make sure you can maintain SVFR conditions.

MTV

daedaluscan wrote:

mtv wrote:No mysteries regarding SVFR. First thing: ATC cannot offer or suggest SVFR, pilot must request, and be familiar with the requirements.

I prefer to call the controlling agency rather than Flight Service....Flight Service just has to call the ATC anyway, so may as we’ll talk to the person with the power.

In parts of Alaska, SVFR is almost a way of life, and no big deal.

Just make sure you can maintain SVFR conditions.

MTV

I requested it once and departed in low vis. Smoke.

I was fine but it was a learning experience and I don’t think I would do it again. Ymmv.

I guess what I am trying to articulate is that I did not know what I did not know. I should have stayed on the ground.

contactflying wrote:SVFR in controlled airspace and marginal VFR in uncontrolled are safe enough given ones willingness to turn back or land should visibility deteriorate. 400' and five miles is much, much safer than 1,000 and one mile. Visibility at 1,000' is almost always worse than visibility much lower.

8GCBC wrote:With the implementation of AWOS, airspace maybe reporting IFR but, in reality it’s perfectly safe to depart/arrive VFR in a helicopter or small fixed wing. ................
(2) If ground visibility is not reported, unless flight visibility is at least 1 statute mile. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term flight visibility includes the visibility from the cockpit of an aircraft in takeoff position if:
(i) The flight is conducted under this part 91; and
(ii) The airport at which the aircraft is located is a satellite airport that does not have weather reporting capabilities.
(d) The determination of visibility by a pilot in accordance with paragraph (c)(2) of this section is not an official weather report or an official ground visibility report.
.....

hotrod180 wrote:

8GCBC wrote:With the implementation of AWOS, airspace maybe reporting IFR but, in reality it’s perfectly safe to depart/arrive VFR in a helicopter or small fixed wing. ................
(2) If ground visibility is not reported, unless flight visibility is at least 1 statute mile. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term flight visibility includes the visibility from the cockpit of an aircraft in takeoff position if:
(i) The flight is conducted under this part 91; and
(ii) The airport at which the aircraft is located is a satellite airport that does not have weather reporting capabilities.
(d) The determination of visibility by a pilot in accordance with paragraph (c)(2) of this section is not an official weather report or an official ground visibility report.
.....

I think the fly in the ointment in your scenario is whatever viz the AWOS may be reporting.
My understanding is that it the official viz.....no matter what you can or can't see from your aircraft.
One of the pilots at my airport, who often comes & goes in MVFR conditions,
was against the installation of an AWOS here for this reason.
If he lands in legal conditions for a class G airport (daytime- one mile viz, clear of clouds),
he can still be violated if the gizmo is reporting less than that 1 mile viz.
Remember that an AWOS reports what it sees, and where it's looking may be different from somewhere else on the airport.
I even heard an AWOS reporting zero/zero once when it was clear & a million--
dunno if someone draped their dewy airplane cover over it to dry or just what.

mtv wrote:Yes, 95% of AWOS is accurate for the area it covers.......which is about a 30 inch diameter.

There’s a reason Alaska pilots really like weather cameras. Trust but verify.

MTV

mtv wrote:Trust but verify....
MTV