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Logging Special VFR as IMC

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FAA Regulations, General Aviation

If an airport is reporting 1sm if visibility and a pilot departs the airport using special VFR, does the time spent in 1sm visibility count as being in IMC?

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1 Answers

  1. Best Answer


    Kris Kortokrax on Feb 09, 2015

    I think you might be asking a question that is different than what you intended.

    IMC is defined as weather conditions less than those specified for VMC (visual meteorological conditions). By definition, Special VFR is VFR. If you are operating under special VFR, you cannot be in IMC. You must be able to see the ground and obstacles and aircraft around you.

    I suspect that what you are really asking is if you can LOG instrument time while in 1 SM visibility on a Special VFR clearance. The answer to that would be no, because instrument time as defined in 61.51(g) is time when you are operating the aircraft solely by reference to the instruments. If you cannot see outside, then you are not maintaining Special VFR and should be on an instrument flight plan with a clearance.

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