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  4. Part 91
  5. § 91.157
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14 CFR · Part 91

14 CFR § 91.157

Special VFR weather minimums.

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Read in Subpart B
Part 91 Contents
  • Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 50-2: Special Flight Rules in the Vicinity of the Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
  • Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 60: Air Traffic Control System Emergency Operation
  • Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 97: Special Operating Rules for the Conduct of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Area Navigation (RNAV) Operations using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in Alaska
  • Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 104: Prohibition Against Certain Flights by Syrian Air Carriers to the United States
  • Subpart A: General
  • Subpart B: Flight Rules
  • Subpart C: Equipment, Instrument, and Certificate Requirements
  • Subpart D: Special Flight Operations
  • Subpart E: Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, and Alterations
  • Subpart F: Large and Turbine-Powered Multiengine Airplanes and Fractional Ownership Program Aircraft
  • Subpart G: Additional Equipment and Operating Requirements for Large and Transport Category Aircraft
  • Subpart H: Foreign Aircraft Operations and Operations of U.S.-Registered Civil Aircraft Outside of the United States; and Rules Governing Persons on Board Such Aircraft
  • Subpart I: Operating Noise Limits
  • Subpart J: Waivers
  • Subpart K: Fractional Ownership Operations
  • Subpart L: Continued Airworthiness and Safety Improvements
  • Subpart M: Special Federal Aviation Regulations
  • Subpart N: Mitsubishi MU-2B Series Special Training, Experience, and Operating Requirements
  • Appendix A to Part 91: Category II Operations: Manual, Instruments, Equipment, and Maintenance
  • Appendix D to Part 91: Airports/Locations: Special Operating Restrictions
  • Appendix E to Part 91: Airplane Flight Recorder Specifications
  • Appendix F to Part 91: Helicopter Flight Recorder Specifications
  • Appendix G to Part 91: Operations in Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) Airspace

In Brief

What It Is

The reduced "Special VFR" weather minimums that let you operate VFR in controlled surface-area airspace below 10,000 ft MSL when you cannot meet basic VFR.

Why It Matters

Special VFR is a useful but easily-misused tool; its conditions are strict, and it exists to get you into or out of an airport safely, not to scud-run cross-country.

FlightPush summary.

(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.

Referenced By

Interpretations of This Section (3)

  • Baginski, 2012
  • Leaf (FrontierFlying), 2011
  • Lloyd, 2008

Advisory Circulars (1)

  • AC 90-48E

Documents that cite this section, found in their catalog metadata or text. Listed by date, not by significance.

Regulations Referenced

14 CFR 91.15514 CFR Part 6114 CFR 91.20514 CFR Part 91

Reflects the eCFR edition current as of July 6, 2026. Retrieved from ecfr.gov on July 17, 2026.

Primary Source

  • Official Source (14 CFR · Part 91)