General SVFR Question

Owen Becker

Filing Flight Plan
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Nov 14, 2018
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Owen Becker
1) SVFR legal in closed traffic?
Probably not recommended, but don't see anywhere where it wouldn't be illegal. Someone, please clarify.

2) Hypothetical situation: ATIS reports 3sm ceilings 1,000 agl (class delta airspace), I decide to do some closed traffic, however, on downwind ATC reports 2.5sm, advisable to get SVFR which would disrupt IFR traffic or just report that it will be a full stop?
 
They might not give you SVFR if there is a IFR on approach. Been there. I was just asked to make it a full stop which I gladly accepted
 
It’s been a long time since I’ve dealt with SVFR clearances. If it is a dead period, then a Class D VFR tower probably could wrangle a SVFR clearance for you from local approach control to run a few closed patterns. Information of an IFR inbound they’ll want the next to a full stop.

If you are running patterns with tower at 1000-3, I would expect that tower would tell you in advance that vis is decreasing and they’ll need you to full stop the next one around. It would be mean to just announce the new lower vis report on you. It’s their space, they’ll get you down.
 
So, if vis does decrease and I make it a full stop, no one will write me up for breaking regs?

I'm a fairly new Private Pilot, just want to make sure I don't get an infraction if I find myself in this situation.
 
1) SVFR legal in closed traffic?
Traffic and ATC permitting, yes it is legal. One should be aware of appropriate terrain clearances however.

2) Hypothetical situation: ATIS reports 3sm ceilings 1,000 agl (class delta airspace), I decide to do some closed traffic, however, on downwind ATC reports 2.5sm, advisable to get SVFR which would disrupt IFR traffic or just report that it will be a full stop?

You would more than likely be told by ATC that the field is no IFR and be given a full stop landing clearance automatically.
 
1) SVFR legal in closed traffic?
Probably not recommended, but don't see anywhere where it wouldn't be illegal. Someone, please clarify.

2) Hypothetical situation: ATIS reports 3sm ceilings 1,000 agl (class delta airspace), I decide to do some closed traffic, however, on downwind ATC reports 2.5sm, advisable to get SVFR which would disrupt IFR traffic or just report that it will be a full stop?

If you’re happy with the viz and want to keep bouncing request it. They’ll tell you to land if need be to ensure you don’t delay IFR traffic.
 
On the other hand, when weather is like that it might be best to stick to polishing muffler bearings in the hangar.
 
On the other hand, when weather is like that it might be best to stick to polishing muffler bearings in the hangar.

This, don't screw with SVFR weather or near SVFR weather when you are on the ground and only a vfr pilot, especially a new vfr pilot. If you really want to do it, get a current ifr rated cfi to take you up on a 3/1,000 day , you probably won't want to do it after that.

We went on a mission for my IR training Tuesday, it was an IMC day, ceilings at 700 feet, forecast to stay about the same for the time of our flight and to improve shortly thereafter. It was a short flight to shoot a couple approaches at a nearby airport with reasonable weather then back home. We got in the air, got to the other airport, and the conditions had deteriorated, we shot an LPV approach (with about 288 ft agl minimums) and broke out just above minimums. Headed back to our home airport, again, was at 700 feet 45 minutes before and forecast to stay that way, now was reporting 400 feet. We shot the ILS (251 agl minimums) and we broke out right at minimums, it had deteriorated quickly. It was great experience for me, but we were within 10 feet of ceiling from having to spend hours 150 miles away waiting for better weather. Forecasts are not always correct.
 
Yep. Authorized. We used to issue it for multiple aircraft with an LOA in place.

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On the other hand, when weather is like that it might be best to stick to polishing muffler bearings in the hangar.

This. When I did it, I had a CFII on board, he wanted to show me what does it look like. I am glad I saw it with a safety net, but that’s where my adventure ends as a VFR pilot
 
So, if vis does decrease and I make it a full stop, no one will write me up for breaking regs?

I'm a fairly new Private Pilot, just want to make sure I don't get an infraction if I find myself in this situation.
ATC isn’t there to report violations. They’ll tell you it’s decreasing, ask your intentions, and you’ll either “make this one a full stop” or request SVFR.

I’ve seen more the opposite...had a few cases where I think the controllers may have been overly-generous in their assessment of visibility so we could keep flying. We decided it was getting too ugly, landed, and they declared the vis down.
 
ATC isn’t there to report violations. They’ll tell you it’s decreasing, ask your intentions, and you’ll either “make this one a full stop” or request SVFR.

I’ve seen more the opposite...had a few cases where I think the controllers may have been overly-generous in their assessment of visibility so we could keep flying. We decided it was getting too ugly, landed, and they declared the vis down.

I didn’t think they would offer up SVFR on their own. They would give you a nudge, and hope you ask for one.
 
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