Section 5. Special VFR Operation

4-5-1. AUTHORIZATION

a. Special VFR (SVFR) operations in weather conditions less than VFR minima are authorized:

1. For helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft at any location not prohibited by 14 CFR Part 91, Appendix D, Section 3, or when an exception to 14 CFR Part 91, Appendix D, Section 3 has been granted and an associated letter of agreement established.

REFERENCE-
14 CFR Part 91, Appendix D, Section 3. Controlled airspace within which special V-F-R weather minimums are not authorized.

2. Only within surface areas.

3. Only when requested by the pilot.

b. When the primary airport is reporting VFR, SVFR operations may be authorized for aircraft transiting surface areas when the pilot advises the inability to maintain VFR.

NOTE-
Control facilities shall always retain SVFR operations authority when IFR operations are being conducted in surface areas.

4-5-2. REQUESTS FOR SPECIAL VFR CLEARANCE

a. Transmit SVFR clearances only for operations within surface areas on the basis of weather conditions. If weather conditions are not reported, transmit an SVFR clearance whenever a pilot advises unable to maintain VFR and requests an SVFR clearance, provided the pilot reports having at least 1-mile flight visibility.

PHRASEOLOGY-
ATC CLEARS (aircraft identification) TO ENTER/OUT OF/THROUGH (name) SURFACE AREA, and if applicable, (direction) OF (name) AIRPORT (specified routing),

and

MAINTAIN SPECIAL V-F-R CONDITIONS AT OR BELOW (altitude) (if applicable) WHILE IN SURFACE AREA.

ATC CLEARS (aircraft identification) TO OPERATE WITHIN (name) SURFACE AREA. MAINTAIN SPECIAL V-F-R CONDITIONS AT OR BELOW (altitude).

b. Transmit clearance for local SVFR operations for a specified period (series of takeoffs and landings, etc.) upon request if the aircraft can be recalled when traffic or weather conditions require. Where warranted, letters of agreement may be established.

PHRASEOLOGY-
LOCAL SPECIAL V-F-R OPERATIONS IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF (name) AIRPORT ARE AUTHORIZED UNTIL (time). MAINTAIN SPECIAL V-F-R CONDITIONS AT OR BELOW (altitude).

c. If an aircraft operating under visual flight rules attempts to enter, depart, or operate within surface areas contrary to the provisions of 14 CFR Section 91.157 (visual flight rules), ensure the pilot is aware of the current weather conditions. Provide the following information:

1. At airports with commissioned ASOS/AWOS with continuous automated voice capability, instruct the pilot to monitor the automated broadcast and advise intentions.

PHRASEOLOGY-
MONITOR (location) ASOS/AWOS (frequency). ADVISE INTENTIONS.

2. At airports without a commissioned ASOS/AWOS, or, if the pilot is unable to receive the ASOS/AWOS broadcast, issue the most current weather report available. Advise the pilot that the weather is below VFR minima, and request the pilot's intentions.

PHRASEOLOGY-
(Location) WEATHER, CEILING (height), VISIBILITY (miles). (Location) SURFACE AREA IS BELOW V-F-R MINIMA. AN ATC CLEARANCE IS REQUIRED. ADVISE INTENTIONS.

NOTE-
Helicopters performing hover taxiing operations (normally not above 10 feet) within the boundary of the airport are considered to be taxiing aircraft.

d. At a pilot's request, issue an SVFR clearance, if appropriate, when an SVFR letter of agreement exists between an AFSS/FSS and the control facility. If no agreement exists, request clearance from the control facility. State the aircraft's location and route of flight.

PHRASEOLOGY-
(Facility name) RADIO. REQUEST SPECIAL V-F-R CLEARANCE (aircraft identification) (direction) OF (location) AIRPORT (specified routing) INTO/OUT OF/THROUGH THE (location) SURFACE AREA.

NOTE-
IFR aircraft shall normally have priority over special VFR (SVFR) aircraft.

1. If the pilot is operating outside surface area and requests SVFR clearance, issue the clearance or if unable, advise the pilot to maintain VFR outside surface area and to standby for clearance.

PHRASEOLOGY-
MAINTAIN V-F-R OUTSIDE (location) SURFACE AREA. STANDBY FOR CLEARANCE.

2. When an aircraft requests a SVFR clearance to enter surface area during periods of SVFR activity, instruct the pilot to maintain VFR conditions outside surface area pending arrival/recall/departure of SVFR operations.

PHRASEOLOGY-
MAINTAIN V-F-R CONDITIONS OUTSIDE OF THE (location) SURFACE AREA PENDING ARRIVAL/RECALL/DEPARTURE OF IFR/SPECIAL V-F-R AIRCRAFT.

3. If the pilot is operating inside the surface area and requests an SVFR clearance, advise the pilot to maintain VFR and standby for clearance.

PHRASEOLOGY-
MAINTAIN V-F-R, STANDBY FOR CLEARANCE.

e. Suspend SVFR operations when necessary to comply with instructions contained in subpara 4-5-4b or when requested by the control facility.

PHRASEOLOGY-
SPECIAL V-F-R AUTHORIZATION DISCONTINUED. RETURN TO AIRPORT OR DEPART SURFACE AREA. ADVISE INTENTIONS.

After response

REPORT LANDING COMPLETED/LEAVING
SURFACE AREA.

4-5-3. VISIBILITY BELOW 1 MILE

a. When the ground visibility is officially reported at an airport as less than 1 mile, treat requests for SVFR operations at that airport by other than helicopters as follows:

NOTE-
14 CFR Part 91 does not prohibit helicopter Special VFR flights when visibility is less than 1 mile.

1. Inform departing aircraft that ground visibility is less than 1 mile and that a clearance cannot be issued.

PHRASEOLOGY-
(Location) VISIBILITY (value). A-T-C UNABLE TO ISSUE DEPARTURE CLEARANCE.

2. Inform arriving aircraft operating outside of the surface area that ground visibility is less than 1 mile and, unless an emergency exists, a clearance cannot be issued.

PHRASEOLOGY-
(Location) VISIBILITY (value). A-T-C UNABLE TO ISSUE ENTRY CLEARANCE UNLESS AN EMERGENCY EXISTS.

3. Inform arriving aircraft operating within the surface area that ground visibility is less than 1 mile and request the pilot's intentions. Relay the pilot's response to the control facility immediately.

PHRASEOLOGY-
(Location) VISIBILITY (value). ADVISE INTENTIONS.

b. When weather conditions are not officially reported at an airport and the pilot advises the flight visibility is less than 1 mile, treat request for SVFR operations at that airport by other than helicopters as follows:

NOTE-
14 CFR Part 91 prescribes use of officially reported ground visibility at airports where it is provided, and landing or takeoff flight visibility where it is not, as the governing ground visibility for VFR and SVFR operations.

1. Inform departing aircraft that a clearance cannot be issued.

PHRASEOLOGY-
UNABLE TO ISSUE DEPARTURE CLEARANCE.

2. Inform arriving aircraft operating outside the surface area that unless an emergency exists, a clearance cannot be issued.

PHRASEOLOGY-
ATC UNABLE TO ISSUE ENTRY CLEARANCE UNLESS AN EMERGENCY EXISTS.

3. Request intentions of arriving aircraft operating within surface areas. Relay the pilot's response to the control facility immediately.

PHRASEOLOGY-
ADVISE INTENTIONS.

c. Transmit a clearance to scheduled air carrier aircraft to conduct operations if ground visibility is not less than 1/2 mile.

d. Transmit a clearance to an aircraft to fly through surface area if the pilot reports flight visibility is at least 1 statute mile.

4-5-4. PREDESIGNED SPECIAL VFR CLEARANCES

Transmit predesigned SVFR clearances only during those periods authorized by the control facility.

NOTE-
The control facility may rescind this authorization at any time.

a. Apply these procedures only to aircraft equipped with a functioning two-way radio. Refer all requests for no-radio SVFR operations to the control facility.

b. Transmit clearances so that only one aircraft at a time operates in surface area unless:

1. Otherwise authorized by a letter of agreement between the control facility and the AFSS/FSS.

2. A pilot requests and all pilots agree that they will maintain visual separation while operating in surface area.

PHRASEOLOGY-
MAINTAIN VISUAL SEPARATION FROM (aircraft type).