SERA.5001 VMC visibility and distance from cloud minima

SI 2021 No. 10

VMC visibility and distance from cloud minima are contained in Table S5-1.

Table S5-1 ¹
Altitude band	Airspace class	Flight visibility	Distance from cloud
At and above 3050 m (10000 ft) AMSL	A² B C D E F G	8 km	1500 m horizontally 300 m (1000 ft) vertically
Below 3050 m (10000 ft) AMSL and above 900 m (3000 ft) AMSL, or above 300 m (1000 ft) above terrain, whichever is the higher	A² B C D E F G	5 km	1500 m horizontally 300 m (1000 ft) vertically
At and below 900 m (3 000 ft) AMSL, or 300 m (1 000 ft) above terrain, whichever is the higher	A² B C D³ E	5 km	1 500 m horizontally 300 m (1 000 ft) vertically
	F G	5 km⁴	Clear of cloud and with the surface in sight

Notes

¹ When the height of the transition altitude is lower than 3050 m (10000 ft) AMSL, FL 100 shall be used in lieu of 10000 ft.

² The VMC minima in Class A airspace are included for guidance to pilots and do not imply acceptance of VFR flights in Class A airspace.

³ A VFR flight in airspace class D is also deemed to have complied with Table S5-1 if the aircraft is flown:

(a) during day;

(b) at or below 900 m (3 000 ft) AMSL, or 300 m (1 000 ft) above terrain, whichever is the higher;

(c) at an indicated airspeed of 140 kts or less to give adequate opportunity to observe other traffic or any obstacles in time to avoid collision; and

(d) remaining clear of cloud, with the surface in sight and:

(1) for aircraft other than helicopters, with a flight visibility of at least 5 km;

(2) for helicopters, with a flight visibility of at least 1 500 m.

⁴ A VFR flight in airspace class F or G is also deemed to have complied with Table S5-1 if the aircraft is flown:

(a) during day;

(b) at or below 900 m (3 000 ft) AMSL, or 300 m (1 000 ft) above terrain, whichever is the higher;

(c) at an indicated airspeed of 140 kts or less to give adequate opportunity to observe other traffic or any obstacles in time to avoid collision; and

(d) with a flight visibility of at least 1 500 m.”.