Can you fly VFR without reference to the ground?

Well, as most of you under the FARs are aware—not to say used to—in the United States it is perfectly legal to fly VFR without any visual contact with the ground. As long as you maintain the minimum VFR requirements regarding visibility and cloud clearances, you are good to go—all you need is a natural horizon.



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A visual flight rules (VFR) aircraft on a long, straight-in approach for landing never enters the traffic pattern unless performing a go-around or touch and go after landing (see paragraph 9.5). referring to the AIM and the PHAK.

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The VFR Cruising Altitude rule does not apply below 3,000 feet AGL. There are some altitudes, however, that pilots seem to choose for level flight. Close to sea level they are 1000, 1500, 2000 and 2500. They are easy to read and remember on an altimeter.

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Prudent pilots typically set higher weather minimums for night VFR flights. FAR 91.157—In order to get a Special VFR clearance at night, you must have an instrument rating, an instrument-equipped airplane, 1 mile visibility, be able to remain clear of clouds, and a Special VFR clearance from air traffic control.

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For our purposes here, we will define IFR as a ceiling less than 1,000 feet AGL and/or visibility less than three miles. LIFR is a sub-category of IFR. VFR is defined as ceiling greater than 3,000 feet AGL and visibility greater than five miles.

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Flight following can be requested from the ground at certain airports. Generally larger airports are equipped to provide flight following services for departing aircraft. At smaller airports you may or may not be able to request flight following prior to departure.

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VFR flight plans filed with AFSS (Automated Flight Service Station) are not passed to ATC. They remain strictly within the AFSS network for search and rescue purposes only. When you request VFR flight following outside the local approach control area, the controller will normally enter a mini-flight plan in the system.

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Flights on visual flight rules (VFR), when in uncontrolled airspace, will squawk VFR (1200 in the US and Canada, 7000 in Europe). Upon contact with an ATC unit, they will be told to squawk a certain code.

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Pilots see only darkness around them except for lights if visibility is good. At night or even during day commercial planes navigate by using onboard instruments from immediately after takeoff till landing. They are not supposed to navigate based on visual cues.

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In combat, many aircraft will operate at altitudes as low as 100 feet and at high airspeeds to defeat ground missile radars and avoid sophisticated surface-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft artillery, and enemy fighters.

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Yes. The autopilot, while often associated with IFR flight, really doesn't have anything to do with IFR or VFR flight. The autopilot's primary function is to relieve the pilot of the mundane, redundant, fatiguing effects of the constant minor control inputs that are required f...

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If you don't feel comfortable using all the capabilities of your autopilot, practice its use during daytime VFR conditions. If you can, bring an experienced pilot with you to give you some tips. Autopilots are great tools, but they can lead to dangerous situations when you don't understand how to use them properly.

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