VFR

VFR stands for visual flight rules, and the term refers to a set of rules created by the FAA for flight in VMC,
or visual meteorological conditions. These are terms that even pilots sometimes use incorrectly. To avoid
confusion, its best to learn the correct terminology from the s tart: When referring to VFR or VMC, VFR is
the type of flight operation or type of flight plan flown by the pilot, and VMC refers to the type
ofweather conditions.
Air traffic controllers arent always required to keep VFR ai rcraft separated from each other like they do
for IFR traffic. The responsibility for traffic separation lies solely with the pilot during VFR operations,
which means he needs to be able to see in front of and around his aircraft while in the air. For this reas on,
VFR rules also cover visibility requirements and cloud clearance criteria required to fly with visual
reference to the ground and/or horizon. These visibility and cloud clearance requirements vary
depending on the type of airspace youre flying in, but they exist to ens ure that pilots flying VFR dont get
caught up in the clouds and crash into each other.

IFR
IFR and IM C are similar. IFR s tands for ins trument flight rules the s et of rules that gov ern aircraft that
fly in IMC, or instrument meteorological conditions. In general terms, instrument flying means flying in
the clouds. More specifically, IMC is defined as weather that is below the minimums prescribed for flight
under Visual Flight Rules.
Its called instrument flight because the pilot navigates only by reference to the instruments in the
aircraft cockpi t. Flying in the clouds (IM C) requi res an IFR flight plan and an ins trument rating.
Flying by instruments, without any outside references sounds dangerous, but its very safe once youve
received the proper training. Trai ning includes learni ng how to use navigational aids like VORs, ADF and
GPS and how to fly approaches using an instrument landi ng system (ILS). Instrument traini ng also
includes a comprehensive study of weather systems and reports, icing conditions, and how the human
body res ponds to spatial disorientation.
Instrument flying involves a higher degree of precision and professionalism than VFR flying, but earning
an instrument rating means you wont be grounded as often because of bad weather. And its a necessary
step to becoming a professional pilot.

Description
ATS airspace is classified and designated in accordance with the following:
Class A. IFR flights only are permitted, all flights are provided with air traffic control service and
are separated from each other.
Class B. IFR and VFR flights are permitted, all flights are provided with air traffic control
service and are separated from each other.
Class C. IFR and VFR flights are permitted, all flights are provided with air traffic control service
and IFR flights are separated from other IFR flights and from VFR flights. VFR flights are
separated from IFR flights and receive traffic information in respect of other VFR flights.
Class D. IFR and VFR flights are permitted and all flights are provided with air traffic control
service, IFR flights are separated from other IFR flights and receive traffic information in respect
of VFR flights, VFR flights receive traffic information in respect of all other flights.
Class E. IFR and VFR flights are permitted, IFR flights are provided with air traffic control
service and are separated from other IFR flights. All flights receive traffic information as far as is
practical. Class E shall not be used for control zones.
Class F. IFR and VFR flights are permitted, all participating IFR flights receive an air
traffic advisory service and all flights receive flight information service if requested.
Class G. IFR and VFR flights are permitted and receive flight information service if requested.
(ICAO Annex 11: Air Traffic Services, Chapter 2, Section 2.6)

The services provided and flight requirements for different classes of airspace are shown in the
table below.

Class

Typ e
of
flight

Separ ation
Provided

Service Provided

Speed limitation*

Radio communication
requirem ent

Subject to
an ATC
clearance

IFR
All aircraft
only

Air traffic control service

Not applicable

Continuous two-way Yes

IFR All aircraft

Air traffic control service

Not applicable

Continuous two-way Yes

VFR All aircraft

Air traffic control service

Not applicable

Continuous two-way Yes

Air traffic control service

Not applicable

Continuous two-way Yes

IFR

IFR from IFR

IFR from VFR

1) Air traffic control service for

separation from IFR

VFR VFR from IFR 2) VFR/VFR traffic information

service (and traffic avoidance

250 kts IAS below

Continuous two-way Yes
10000 ft amsl

advice on request)
Air traffic control service, traffic
250 kts IAS below
information about VFR flights (and traffic
10000 ft amsl
avoidance advice on request)

Continuous tw o-way

Yes

VFR Nil

IFR/VFR and VFR/VFR traffic

250 kts IAS below
information (and traffic avoidance advice
10000 ft amsl
on request)

Continuous tw o-way

Yes

IFR IFR from IFR

Air traffic control service and, as far

250 kts IAS below
as practical traffic information about
Continuous two-way Yes
10000 ft amsl
VFR flights

VFR Nil

Traffic information as far as

practical

250 kts IAS below

No
10000 ft amsl

IFR from IFR

IFR as far as
practical

Air traffic advisory service; flight

information service

250 kts IAS below

Continuous two-way No
10000 ft amsl

VFR Nil

Flight information service

250 kts IAS below

No
10000 ft amsl

IFR Nil

Flight information service

250 kts IAS below

Continuous two-way No
10000 ft amsl

VFR Nil

Flight information service

250 kts IAS below

No
10000 ft amsl

IFR

IFR from IFR

D (1)

E (2)

No

No

No

* When the height of the transition altitude is lower than 10,000 ft amsl, FL100 should be used in lieu of 10000 ft
(ICAO Annex 11: Air Traffic Ser vices, C hapter 2, Appendix 4)