Division SERA.5001 VMC visibility and distance from cloud minima
United Kingdom
VMC visibility and distance from cloud minima are contained in Table S5-1.
When the height of the transition altitude is lower than 3 050 m (10 000 ft) AMSL, FL 100 shall be used in lieu of 10 000 ft. | |||
The VMC minima in Class A airspace are included for guidance to pilots and do not imply acceptance of VFR flights in Class A airspace. | |||
F1A VFR flight in airspace class D is also deemed to have complied with Table S5-1 if the aircraft is flown: (a) during day; (b) at or below 900 m (3 000 ft) AMSL, or 300 m (1 000 ft) above terrain, whichever is the higher; (c) at an indicated airspeed of 140 kts or less to give adequate opportunity to observe other traffic or any obstacles in time to avoid collision; and (d) remaining clear of cloud, with the surface in sight and: (1) for aircraft other than helicopters, with a flight visibility of at least 5 km; (2) for helicopters, with a flight visibility of at least 1 500 m. | |||
F2A VFR flight in airspace class F or G is also deemed to have complied with Table S5-1 if the aircraft is flown: (a) during day; (b) at or below 900 m (3 000 ft) AMSL, or 300 m (1 000 ft) above terrain, whichever is the higher; (c) at an indicated airspeed of 140 kts or less to give adequate opportunity to observe other traffic or any obstacles in time to avoid collision; and (d) with a flight visibility of at least 1 500 m. | |||
| Table S5-1f1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Altitude band | Airspace class | Flight visibility | Distance from cloud |
| At and above 3 050 m (10 000 ft) AMSL | Af2 B C D E F G | 8 km | 1 500 m horizontally 300 m (1 000 ft) vertically |
| Below 3 050 m (10 000 ft) AMSL and above 900 m (3 000 ft) AMSL, or above 300 m (1 000 ft) above terrain, whichever is the higher | A B C D E F G | 5 km | 1 500 m horizontally 300 m (1 000 ft) vertically |
| F3At and below 900 m (3 000 ft) AMSL, or 300 m (1 000 ft) above terrain, whichever is the higher | AB C Df3E | 5 km | 1 500 m horizontally 300 m (1 000 ft) vertically |
| F G | 5 kmf4 | Clear of cloud and with the surface in sight | |
Annotations
Textual amendments
- F1
Annex s. 5 SERA.5001 Table S5-1 footnote c substituted (20.5.2021) by The Aviation Safety (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/10), regs. 1(3), 2(3)(b)
- F2
Annex s. 5 SERA.5001 Table S5-1 footnote d inserted (20.5.2021) by The Aviation Safety (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/10), regs. 1(3), 2(3)(c)
- F3
Words in Annex s. 5 SERA.5001 Table S5-1 substituted (20.5.2021) by The Aviation Safety (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/10), regs. 1(3), 2(3)(a)
Footnotes
- f1
When the height of the transition altitude is lower than 3 050 m (10 000 ft) AMSL, FL 100 shall be used in lieu of 10 000 ft.
- f2
The VMC minima in Class A airspace are included for guidance to pilots and do not imply acceptance of VFR flights in Class A airspace.
- f3
A VFR flight in airspace class D is also deemed to have complied with Table S5-1 if the aircraft is flown:
(a) during day;
(b) at or below 900 m (3 000 ft) AMSL, or 300 m (1 000 ft) above terrain, whichever is the higher;
(c) at an indicated airspeed of 140 kts or less to give adequate opportunity to observe other traffic or any obstacles in time to avoid collision; and
(d) remaining clear of cloud, with the surface in sight and:
(1) for aircraft other than helicopters, with a flight visibility of at least 5 km;
(2) for helicopters, with a flight visibility of at least 1 500 m.
- f4
A VFR flight in airspace class F or G is also deemed to have complied with Table S5-1 if the aircraft is flown:
(a) during day;
(b) at or below 900 m (3 000 ft) AMSL, or 300 m (1 000 ft) above terrain, whichever is the higher;
(c) at an indicated airspeed of 140 kts or less to give adequate opportunity to observe other traffic or any obstacles in time to avoid collision; and
(d) with a flight visibility of at least 1 500 m.