Reference library
14 CFR § 91.157
Volume 2 · Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, 2025 edition.
Special VFR weather minimums
Sec. 91.157 Special VFR weather minimums.
(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 Sec.
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 Sec. 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.
[Amdt. 91-235, 58 FR 51968, Oct. 5, 1993, as amended by Amdt. 91-247, 60
FR 66874, Dec. 27, 1995; Amdt. 91-262, 65 FR 16116, Mar. 24, 2000;
Docket FAA-2022-1355, Amdt. 91-366, 87 FR 75846, Dec. 9, 2022]U.S. Government work — public domain (17 U.S.C. §105). Reproduced from the checksummed 2025 annual edition of Title 14; always confirm against the current eCFR.