VFR or VFR conditions

Visual Flight Rules: basically refers to conditions in which i can see and avoid other aircraft and terrain. Defined as visibility greater than 5 miles and a specific distance from the clouds.

MVFR or MVFR conditions

Marginal VFR: Anytime the visibility gets lower but isn’t quit bad enough to stop flying under VFR. Defined as anytime the visibility is less that 5 miles but greater than 3 and the ceilings are lower than 3000 feet but greater than 1000.

IFR or IFR conditions

Instrument Flight Rules: Things change here and now you are required to have an instrument clearance (basically permission from a controlling agency) to operate in near zero visibility conditions and you need to maintain radio communications. Defined as anything less than 3 miles visibility and ceilings less than 1000 feet. There is also a LIFR but at that stage you can see nothing but you can still go flying … landing may require special equipment that lets you fly on instruments all the way to the surface. You can also operate under IFR where you fly in VFR conditions but maintain the clearance and communication requirements. It makes navigating complex airspace a little easier.

 

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