Do you need a flight plan for VFR flight following?
Do you need a flight plan for VFR flight following? An open VFR flight plan accomplishes exactly the same thing. It is not required for VFR as it is for IFR, but this tracking tool could become invaluable if something goes wrong, your coms fail, and you need to make an emergency landing in a remote location.
Do you need to file a flight plan for VFR Vatsim?
Flying VFR on VATSIM is much the same as real world. However, always file a flight plan marking it VFR so that ATC knows that you know what you're doing and not just out there ignoring flight rules. A route of flight is not required and cruise altitude should reflect a VFR altitude. Make sure you squawk 1200.
Can I change altitude while flight following?
As a VFR aircraft, altitude is the pilot's discretion unless there has been an explicit assignment by ATC for traffic purposes. You should advise the controller of any altitude changes.
Can I fly through Class C on flight following?
If you are receiving flight following, you are automatically cleared to enter the outer ring of a TFR and to enter Class C or D airspace. However, there is one circumstance that flight following will not protect you from, and that is flying into Class B airspace.
Can a pilot refuse a clearance?
It is up to the pilot to refuse the clearance if, in the pilot's opinion, compliance would adversely affect the operation.
What is the 500ft rule?
500 ft rule. An aircraft must maintain an altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.
When can you not fly VFR?
No person may operate an aircraft under basic VFR when the flight visibility is less, or at a distance from clouds that is less, than that prescribed for the corresponding altitude and class of airspace.
Can you fly VFR in scattered clouds?
First, we must have clear sky or a scattered layer to climb through for VFR over-the-top. This is easily ascertained. Second, we must be sure that the broken or overcast layer does not rise beyond the capability of the airplane or the legal limit for flight without supplemental oxygen.
What is the 1 in 60 rule in VFR?
It states that for each degree off (or displacement) over a distance of 60 nautical miles (NM), it will result in 1 NM off course.
Can VFR pilots fly at night?
In some countries, VFR flight is permitted at night, and is known as night VFR. This is generally permitted only under more restrictive conditions, such as maintaining minimum safe altitudes, and may require additional training as a pilot at night may not be able to see and avoid obstacles.
Can you fly VFR after sunset?
Visual Flight Rules (VFR) is an aviation term that refers to fly by visual references. It is formed from of the first letters of the English term. The VFR flight window runs from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
Is IFR safer than VFR?
IFR flying provides certain protections which are not readily available to those flying under VFR. Even if you never fly into a cloud, having an IFR-equipped airplane and pilot will make for a safer and confident journey. Flying through and above the clouds provides for safer travels.
Is IFR easier than VFR?
IFR flying is astronomically more challenging than is VFR flying, but those pilots who achieve this distinction are invariably better and safer pilots, both when flying IFR and when flying VFR. Aviating under IFR, a pilot is authorized to fly into clouds in what is called zero visibility.