Special VFR weather minimums14 CFR 91.157 Special VFR weather minimums
Special VFR lets you operate under its own weather minimums instead of those in 91.155, below 10,000 feet MSL within the controlled airspace designated to the surface for an airport. It requires an ATC clearance and clear of clouds, and, except for helicopters, at least 1 statute mile flight visibility.
By the ATIS Alerts team · Updated October 15, 2026 · Regulation text current as of October 14, 2026. A study aid based on the official regulation text, not legal advice or an FAA interpretation.
At a glance
- Where: below 10,000 feet MSL within the upward extension of the lateral boundaries of the controlled airspace designated to the surface for an airport (a).
- Requires an ATC clearance (b)(1) and clear of clouds (b)(2).
- Except for helicopters: flight visibility of at least 1 statute mile (b)(3).
- Except for helicopters: only between sunrise and sunset, unless the pilot meets the applicable part 61 requirements for instrument flight and the aircraft is equipped as required in 91.205(d) (b)(4).
- To take off or land (other than a helicopter): ground visibility of at least 1 statute mile, or flight visibility of at least 1 statute mile if ground visibility is not reported (c).
In plain English
Special VFR is the alternative to the basic minimums in 91.155. It allows VFR operations under the weather minimums and requirements of 91.157 instead, but only below 10,000 feet MSL and only within the airspace contained by the upward extension of the lateral boundaries of the controlled airspace designated to the surface for an airport (a). Appendix D, section 3, of Part 91 contains exceptions.
Paragraph (b) sets the conditions. A special VFR operation needs an ATC clearance and must remain clear of clouds. Except for helicopters, flight visibility must be at least 1 statute mile, and the operation must be between sunrise and sunset (in Alaska, when the sun is 6 degrees or less below the horizon) unless the person granted the clearance meets the applicable requirements for instrument flight under part 61 and the aircraft is equipped as required in 91.205(d).
Paragraph (c) covers takeoff and landing for aircraft other than helicopters. Ground visibility must be at least 1 statute mile, or, if ground visibility is not reported, flight visibility must be at least 1 statute mile. For a Part 91 flight at a satellite airport without weather reporting capabilities, flight visibility includes the visibility from the cockpit in takeoff position, and (d) states that a pilot's determination of visibility under (c)(2) is not an official weather report or an official ground visibility report.
Common mistakes
- Flying special VFR without a clearance. It may only be conducted with an ATC clearance (b)(1).
- Forgetting the night limit. Except for helicopters, special VFR outside sunrise to sunset requires the pilot to meet the applicable part 61 requirements for instrument flight and the aircraft to be equipped under 91.205(d) (b)(4).
- Using special VFR outside its area. It applies only below 10,000 feet MSL within the controlled airspace designated to the surface for an airport (a).
The official text
14 CFR 91.157 as published on the eCFR, current as of October 14, 2026.
(a) Except as provided in appendix D, section 3, of this part, special VFR operations may be conducted under the weather minimums and requirements of this section, instead of those contained in § 91.155, below 10,000 feet MSL within the airspace contained by the upward extension of the lateral boundaries of the controlled airspace designated to the surface for an airport.
(b) Special VFR operations may only be conducted—
(1) With an ATC clearance;
(2) Clear of clouds;
(3) Except for helicopters, when flight visibility is at least 1 statute mile; and
(4) Except for helicopters, between sunrise and sunset (or in Alaska, when the sun is 6 degrees or less below the horizon) unless—
(i) The person being granted the ATC clearance meets the applicable requirements for instrument flight under part 61 of this chapter; and
(ii) The aircraft is equipped as required in § 91.205(d).
(c) No person may take off or land an aircraft (other than a helicopter) under special VFR—
(1) Unless ground visibility is at least 1 statute mile; or
(2) If ground visibility is not reported, unless flight visibility is at least 1 statute mile. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term flight visibility includes the visibility from the cockpit of an aircraft in takeoff position if:
(i) The flight is conducted under this part 91; and
(ii) The airport at which the aircraft is located is a satellite airport that does not have weather reporting capabilities.
(d) The determination of visibility by a pilot in accordance with paragraph (c)(2) of this section is not an official weather report or an official ground visibility report.
Test yourself
Practice questions from our free FAA written test prep that cite 14 CFR 91.157.
Private Helicopter
For a helicopter operating Special VFR within a surface area, the weather minimum is:
- A. clear of clouds; no minimum flight visibility is prescribed for helicopters.
- B. 1 statute mile flight visibility and clear of clouds.
- C. 1/2 statute mile flight visibility and 500 feet below clouds.
- D. 3 statute miles, because SVFR does not apply to helicopters.
Show answer
A. clear of clouds; no minimum flight visibility is prescribed for helicopters. The 1-mile visibility requirement and the night instrument-rating requirement in 91.157 both begin "except for helicopters." An ATC clearance and clear of clouds are still required, and with no visibility number the pilot should fly slowly enough to see and avoid traffic and obstructions.
More Private Helicopter practice →Commercial Helicopter
For special VFR between sunset and sunrise, the pilot-instrument-rating and IFR-equipment requirements apply to:
- A. aircraft other than helicopters: helicopters are excepted from the night SVFR instrument requirements.
- B. all aircraft, including helicopters.
- C. helicopters only.
- D. no aircraft; SVFR is prohibited at night.
Show answer
A. aircraft other than helicopters: helicopters are excepted from the night SVFR instrument requirements. 91.157(b)(4) requires an instrument-rated pilot and an IFR-equipped aircraft for night SVFR, 'except for helicopters.' The privilege reflects helicopter speed and maneuverability: it is not an invitation to scud-run in the dark.
More Commercial Helicopter practice →
Questions pilots ask
What are the special VFR weather minimums?
An ATC clearance, clear of clouds, and, except for helicopters, at least 1 statute mile flight visibility (91.157(b)). To take off or land in an aircraft other than a helicopter, ground visibility must be at least 1 statute mile, or flight visibility if ground visibility is not reported (91.157(c)).
Can you fly special VFR at night?
Except for helicopters, only if the person being granted the clearance meets the applicable part 61 requirements for instrument flight and the aircraft is equipped as required in 91.205(d) (91.157(b)(4)). Otherwise special VFR is limited to between sunrise and sunset, or in Alaska to when the sun is 6 degrees or less below the horizon.
Where can special VFR be used?
Below 10,000 feet MSL within the upward extension of the lateral boundaries of the controlled airspace designated to the surface for an airport, except as provided in appendix D, section 3, of Part 91 (91.157(a)).