VFR – Visual Flight Rules

A VFR flight is to be contacted under VMC (Visual Meteorological Conditions) inside controlled airspace or outside controlled airspace (Open FIR) by any certified pilot on/in any type of flying machine. Unlike the IFR flights (Instrument Flight Rules) were very strict rules and restrictions apply the VFR rules are very loose, so that they allow even unproven and homebuilds aircraft to fly safely.

A) I know where I am

B) I see where I want to go

C) I see all the obstacles between me and my destinations

D) I see other aircraft and avoid them

E) I remain away from nasty clouds

As you should have already figured out VFR is the basic and fundamental way of flight. The first think the pilot learns is to fly VFR and keep the windscreen very clean. Every first flight is contacted under VFR (Wright Brothers, Concorde, Columbia space shuttle, Boeing 747), and any flight machine must be able to contact a flight by visual rules, because when your instruments fail you you have to see where you want to go.

Since I see where I want to go I don`t need any instruments?

No chance. You always need instruments to fly safely. You can see the basic instruments needed for a flight in the picture. From left to right

1)VHF radio transceiver (Air band) – The way to communicate and get information

2)Altitude indicator – When set appropriately(QNH) it indicates the height of the aircraft above the average sea level

3)Air speed indicator – The air speed indicator indicates the indicated speed (NOT true air speed) which is vital to all phaseof flight

4)Tachometer (or RPM gauge) – Indicates the Revolutions per minuite and unlike your car this is a very vital instrument for aircraft. It indicates how much power is delivered and is the first instrument to saw you that something is wrong.

5)Engine instruments – may vary depending on engine, but typically oil pressure/temperature and cylinder head temperature

6)Transponder – So that the air traffic controller can see you

7) Slip-Skid ball indicator – Just Kick the ball to fly coordinated

8)Magnetic compass – Vital navigation equipment, but need deep understanding.

9)Amps Indicator (Optional) – it indicates the state of the battery (Charging,empty,high load)

*)Stop watch-clock – A must that is not in the picture(probably because is on the hand of the one taking the picture).

Well basically if you want to do a small local flight you don`t need big preparation. Just get in, take a map, fuel up and fly.

Well now to the good stuff. Every cross country flight has 2 stages. Preflight preparation and flight.

During the preflight preparation the pilot gathers all the information needed for the flight to be contacted, files the VFR log chartplate , files his flight plane and prepares the aircraft for the flight. Sounds simple? No chance, for every new flight a pilot makes has to spend at least half the time of the flight time of the trip conducting the preparation. Boring well sometimes yeah… Needed? Well yeah if you want return home, and not be mourned in a smoking hole on someone’s garden, yes!!!

During the flight the preflight preparations comes to hunt you. If you are even a little bit unprepared, all universes will align so that you have to face the consequences of your mistake. You will need your VFR log chartplate to see what headings you want to fly and calculate your time and speed, you will need your weather maps to avoid nasty weather and big headwinds, you will need the radio frequencies and maps/charts and airport information. Nasty and stressing it seems right? Well no, if you nailed it in the pre flight preparation you will have fun.

Well the fundamental idea of VFR is that you see where you want to go and you also see what you must avoid. The pilot has to see the other aircraft and have time to avoid it. So flights into clouds are prohibited. Also the minimum visibility must be sufficient, so you can look where you want to go and avoid your local radio station antenna. Strict regulations are in place dictating the minimum Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC), but they vary slightly from authority to authority, as measurement units do so refer to your countries AIP for details.