What are Visual Flight Rules (VFR)?
VFR is a set of rules and procedures established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that govern aircraft operations in which the pilot relies on visual references to navigate the airspace and maintain safe separation from other traffic.
VFR operations require the pilot to maintain a certain level of ceiling and visibility, which are specified within the rules. If the weather conditions fall below these requirements, the pilot must switch to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), which rely on onboard instruments rather than visual references.
Using VFR, pilots can navigate through clear skies and maintain visual contact with the ground, other aircraft, and landmarks. They must also follow specific procedures and airspace rules to ensure the safety of themselves and other aircraft.
While VFR may offer more flexibility to pilots, it does require a higher level of training and experience to ensure safe operations. Pilots must be able to navigate using visual references and maintain situational awareness at all times to avoid collisions and maintain proper spacing with other traffic.
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