Comments on: Special VFR http://blog.aopa.org/helicopter/?p=661 AOPA's Helicopter Blog Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:36:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: Alan Barnes http://blog.aopa.org/helicopter/?p=661#comment-1926 Alan Barnes Tue, 28 Feb 2012 03:59:38 +0000 http://blog.aopa.org/helicopter/?p=661#comment-1926 It’s *always* at the discretion of ATC whether they approve your request for SVFR or not. It could be a workload issue for them. Also, it’s IFR at the field so they maintain separation between you and the IFR traffic flow. If they can’t find a spot to fit you in they’re going to deny the clearance. You’re not seeing everything they are seeing. I would wager that they are well aware of the differences between airplane and helicopter rules for SVFR.

That being said, if the weather is deteriorating to the point where you really need to land, either just find a place to land or declare an emergency and they can issue a clearance based off of that and bypass visibility (or any other) requirements. You may have to make a phone call after that but it’s better than putting the ship on the ground in a less controlled manner.

And never make a flight that depends on you getting a SVFR clearance at the destination since that’s not a guaranteed thing.

SVFR info is 91.157 and in the AIM 4-4-6 http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/ATpubs/AIM/aim0404.html#aim0404.html.3

Phraseology here http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/fss/fss0405.html

]]> By: Neil http://blog.aopa.org/helicopter/?p=661#comment-1923 Neil Sun, 26 Feb 2012 03:41:45 +0000 http://blog.aopa.org/helicopter/?p=661#comment-1923 Interesting topic. I have been given SVAR clearance many times but on occasion a tower has refused for no obvious reason and I woinder if the ATC person on duty knows the difference between fixed wing and rotor rules for SVAR. It’s a good topic for a full magazine article…

]]> By: mike http://blog.aopa.org/helicopter/?p=661#comment-1883 mike Tue, 10 Jan 2012 22:47:09 +0000 http://blog.aopa.org/helicopter/?p=661#comment-1883 Eugene review 91.157 neither the helo nor the pilot need to be ifr certified or current. Otherwise most would just file ifr. Very few single engine helo’s are ifr certified. I fly a Bell 407 not certified ifr utillize svfr all the time.

]]> By: Eugene http://blog.aopa.org/helicopter/?p=661#comment-1882 Eugene Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:07:20 +0000 http://blog.aopa.org/helicopter/?p=661#comment-1882 I have requested SVFR many times and for varying reasons during my 35+ years of helicopter flying. Don’t forget however, the aircraft must be IFR certified and capable and the pilot must be IFR rated and current.

]]> By: John http://blog.aopa.org/helicopter/?p=661#comment-1880 John Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:38:45 +0000 http://blog.aopa.org/helicopter/?p=661#comment-1880 I use this occasionally. At my airport (KMDW), ATC says, “say your request” as a matter of course.

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