Do VFR pilots have to see 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. (This is not the same as “VFR-on-top,” which is actually a type of IFR clearance.) You can't see the ground, but GPS makes it easy to know where you are.



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To complete a safe landing, pilots must be able to see the runway at a specific decision height (DH) above the ground. A minimum horizontal visibility is also specified, called the Runway Visual Range, or RVR.

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Visual Flight Rules (VFR) are a set of regulations that dictate the minimum conditions required for a pilot to operate an aircraft visually. (Source: Federal Aviation Administration) VFR pilots must maintain a certain distance from clouds and have visibility of at least 1 mile during the day and 3 miles at night.

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The required visibility depends on the type of runway lighting and obstacles. The normal minimum visibility for takeoff at a major airport is 600 feet visibility on the runway. With very specialized equipment and training it can be reduced a bit below that, but it is rare.

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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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VFR pilots can fly between 3,000 to 18,000 ft.

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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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No person may operate an airplane over-the-top or at night under VFR unless that airplane is equipped with the instruments and equipment required for IFR operations under § 91.205(d) and one electric landing light for night operations. Each required instrument and item of equipment must be in operable condition.

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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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Another Redditor added some additional information, explaining how you can ask to see the cockpit. They wrote: 'Not OP but occasionally when we are at the gate after the flight is done, yeah. It doesn't hurt to ask, most pilots are quite accommodating. '

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In some situations, such as during a landing on a contaminated runway, the firm touchdown may have been intentional. As stated in the definition above, a hard landing is classified as the exceedance of a manufacturer limitation, which will vary by the category and purpose of the aircraft.

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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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Under VFR, pilots are allowed to fly over clouds, but there are certain regulations they must follow. These regulations dictate the minimum vertical and horizontal distances a pilot must maintain from clouds depending on the airspace they are flying in.

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VFR aircraft also must maintain a horizontal distance of 1sm from clouds while operating in Class E at and above 10,000ft. Below 10,000ft, the increase in TAS is reduced due to the lower altitudes. Therefore, the minimum forward flight visibility can be reduced from 5sm to 3sm.

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