If Aviation Weather Observation Service Reports Instrument Flight Rules Conditions When Visual Flight Rules Conditions Exist, Is It Lawful to Fly?

If Aviation Weather Observation Service Reports Instrument Flight Rules Conditions When Visual Flight Rules Conditions Exist, Is It Lawful to Fly?

Kickin' Breeze Aviation## A Whiff of Trouble at KARG

You're a regular Joe pilots flying into Walnut Ridge, Arkansas (KARG), a non-airy-traffic-controller-babysit-'em airport. About 10 miles out, you're checking the ol' automated weather station, which spits out this:

KARG 231530Z AUTO 06005KT 1/2SM BKN023 BKN065 17/16 A3010 RMK AO2 RAE05 CIG017V023 P0000

Sounds like a tornado warning, don't it? Nah, not a chance. You're flying in clear skies with clouds cloaking most of the landscape, with at least 10 miles of visibility. The only hiccup is those broken ceilings hovering around 2,500' MSL.

But hold the phones, fellas. The automated weather seer up there claims the ceiling is 2,300 feet above ground level, with an oddball 1/2 mile visibility wrapped up in there, too. You figure, heck, let's give it a whirl and ride into KARG.

As you're getting closer, you can see daylight as far as the eye can see, no unusual low-hanging fluff mars the sight. It's time to descend and kiss the tarmac, but the automated weather seer keeps insisting the area's socked in with clouds. Something smells fishy, don't it? So, what the heck can you do now?

Kickin' Breeze Aviation## Each Slice of Sky Has Its Own Cloud Requirements

KARG rests in Class G airspace (below 700' above ground level), with Class E airspace sliding in at 700'. That means, during the day, your weather minimums are about as stringent as a feather in the wind: 1 mile visibility, clear of clouds. But here's the rub, pal—the station's about as accurate as Miss Cleo, what with that reported 1/2 mile visibility. But what now?

With the clouds broken below and visibility essentially clear below the clouds, there must be a mix-up, right? But is there any whiff of risk in not following the automated station's weather forecast?

Kickin' Breeze Aviation## What's the Lowdown on Regulations?

Part 91 of FAA regulations outlines the weather minimums for VFR flight across various types of airspace. It's a mouthful, so give our online course a whirl if you're feelin' lost. Here are the highlights...

(b) Class G Airspace. Not much to this, just remember: during the day, you can zip around in Class G airspace below 1,200 feet above ground level as long as you're clear of clouds in the airport traffic pattern and have a whopping 1/2 mile of visibility.

But don't forget that exceptions do exist.

(c) Here's a quick rundown of a few additional restrictions:

• Helicopters can putt-putt around in VMC within half a mile of the runway or helipad during the day if the visibility's a solid 1/2 statute mile.
• Airplanes and light aircraft can weave around in VMC within half a mile of the runway during the day or night as long as visibility is more than 3 statute miles but less than 1 statute mile.

And that's not all, folks. The surface areas of Class B, Class C, Class D, and Class E airspace designated for an airport have special stipulations for when folks can enter the traffic pattern under VFR. Remember those?

So, you're clear of these special stipulations, which means the Class G airspace below 1,200' AGL minimums still apply: 1 mile visibility, clear of clouds. The definition of flight visibility is up next...

Flight visibility means you can see and ID prominent objects from the cockpit of an aircraft during the day and identify prominent lighted objects by night. In other words, it's all up to ol' you and your eyesight. AWOS doesn't provide flight visibility but gives you useful intel when you're cruisin' enroute or up on the comms with air traffic control.

Kickin' Breeze Aviation## Is an SVFR Clearance Up to the Task?

Special VFR clearances are only valid at airports within class B, C, D, and E controlled airspace. For these areas, the weather must have a minimum 1-mile visibility, clear of clouds for SVFR clearances to be issued.

AWOS can't give you an SVFR clearance when visibility is less than 1 mile, no matter how much you squint and strain to see further. Just to hammer it home: "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."

Kickin' Breeze Aviation## What's Your Move, Pilot?

Ever faced a situation like this? Let us know what you'd do in our mailbox: [email protected]. Or don't be shy and share your ponderings in the comments below.

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1. At KARG, the automated weather station reported broken ceilings at 2,300 feet above ground level and 1/2 mile visibility, but the pilot found clear skies with visibility extending beyond the clouds.
2. In Class G airspace, during daytime, a pilot can fly below 1,200 feet above ground level as long as they are clear of clouds and have at least 1/2 mile visibility.
3. Helicopters can fly in VMC within half a mile of the runway or helipad during the day if visibility is 1/2 statute mile or more.
4. Airplanes and light aircraft can fly in VMC within half a mile of the runway during the day or night as long as visibility is more than 3 statute miles but less than 1 statute mile.
5. For airports within Class B, C, D, and E controlled airspace, special stipulations apply for entering the traffic pattern under VFR.
6. Special VFR clearances are only valid at airports within controlled airspace and require a minimum 1-mile visibility, clear of clouds.
7. AWOS provides useful information for pilots, but it does not provide flight visibility, which is defined as the ability to see and identify prominent objects from the cockpit during the day or prominent lighted objects by night.
8. The pilot's decision to ignore the automated weather station's report and proceed with the flight raises questions about the accuracy of such reports and the risks associated with not following them.
9. Part 91 of FAA regulations outlines the weather minimums for VFR flight across various types of airspace, but some exceptions and special stipulations do exist.
10. The pilot's situation at KARG highlights the importance of understanding the weather minimums and airport-specific regulations to ensure safe flight operations.
11. The aviation industry relies on accurate weather reports and clear regulations to maintain safety and efficiency in transportation, but occasional inaccuracies like the one at KARG can cause confusion and present challenges for pilots.
12. The finance and transportation sectors, including aviation, are heavily impacted by weather conditions, and pilots must be aware of their responsibilities and adhere to regulations to ensure the safety of flights and the well-being of passengers and crew.

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