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It usually happens when the aircraft is inside controlled airspace, and the local weather is less than the minimums required for flight under visual flight rules (VFR) within the airspace in question. [5] Note that an aircraft might be able to fly under SVFR even in Class A airspace, where instrument flight rules (IFR) flight is the norm. [6]
VFR requires a pilot to be able to see outside the cockpit to control the aircraft's altitude, navigate, and avoid obstacles and other aircraft. [3] Governing agencies establish specific requirements for VFR flight, including minimum visibility, and distance from clouds, to ensure that aircraft operating under VFR are visible from enough distance to ensure safety.
Air traffic control may also issue a "special VFR" clearance to VFR aircraft, to allow departure from a control zone in less than VMC – this reduces the visibility minimum to 1,600 m. Generally, VMC requires greater visibility and cloud clearance in controlled airspace than in uncontrolled airspace .
However, typical daytime VFR minimums for most airspace is 3 statute miles of flight visibility and a distance from clouds of 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, and 2,000 feet horizontally. [4] Flight conditions reported as equal to or greater than these VFR minimums are referred to as visual meteorological conditions (VMC).
In Germany VFR OTT (Flüge nach Sichtflugregeln über Wolkendecken) is allowed and regulated in §32 LuftVO. [6] The requirements are: minimum height of 1,000 ft (305 m) above ground or water, minimum weather requirements for airspace E met; pilot is capable of keeping the planned course
The "night" restriction on Special VFR clearances, namely that the pilot and aircraft are rated and equipped for IFR, applies from sunset to sunrise, see AIM 4-4-6(g). Position lights are required from sunset to sunrise (see FAR 91.209 and AIM 4-3-23). [9]
While flying VFR-on-top, pilots are required to stay in an appropriate VFR altitude, maintain the required VFR visibility and cloud clearance requirement, while comply with other IFR requirements (minimum IFR altitudes, position reporting, radio communications, course to be flown, adherence to ATC clearance, etc). [2] [3]
Class G: Operations may be conducted under IFR or VFR. ATC has no authority but VFR minimums are to be known by pilots. Traffic Information may be given as far as is practical in respect of other flights. Special Airspace: these may limit pilot operation in certain areas.