Visual flight

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Clouds must not be touched or flown through in visual flight. In most airspaces , minimum distances to clouds apply.

A visual flight is a flight that is carried out by the pilot according to sight, i.e. H. in accordance with applicable visual flight rules ( English visual flight rules , VFR ), is performed. Contrast, the instrument flight with this valid instrument flight rules (Engl. Instrument flight rules , IFR ).

Visual flight is mainly used in general aviation at lower altitudes, in small aircraft and with aerial sports equipment , but also in military low-altitude flights . Commercial flights with larger commercial aircraft are usually carried out as instrument flights.

execution

In visual flight, the pilot visually controls the position of his aircraft in space and also assesses its position relative to other aircraft. For the flight position in space, he uses clues outside the aircraft, usually by looking at the horizon . The basic requirement for visual flight is therefore that the weather permits certain minimum visibility ranges and the pilot does not fly through clouds, so that the necessary clues can be seen outside the aircraft. Furthermore, he must maintain certain horizontal and vertical minimum distances to clouds in order to avoid collisions. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) cannot be met where visual flight is not permitted. The principles of the process of visual flights are in the so-called visual flight rules ( Visual Flight Rules defined, VFR). Typically, the flight takes place according to visual flight rules without an air traffic controller staggering other air traffic - the principle of see and avoid ("see and avoid") applies . Accordingly, the visual flight rules also stipulate avoidance regulations, similar to the right of way rules in road traffic. In certain airspaces , however, VFR traffic is also controlled by air traffic control ( controlled visual flight , CVFR) and staggered from IFR flights. Visual flight is also permitted under certain conditions above closed cloud cover ("on top") or at night ( NVFR ). If visibility conditions are unfavorable , a control zone can also be flown through according to special visual flight rules (SVFR) with appropriate clearance . In any case, it is crucial that the horizon is recognizable and that the visual flight rules (obstacle detection, cloud distances) can be complied with depending on the airspace flown through.

In aviation law , visual flight is defined by the application of visual flight rules. These prescribe certain minimum conditions that must be met for visual flight. The visual flight rules have been standardized across Europe in the Standardized European Rules of the Air (SERA) since 2014 .

safety

Under visual flight conditions (VMC), the basic principle of “see and be seen” applies to all aircraft involved - regardless of whether they are flying according to VFR or IFR. As a result, observing the airspace in front of you is one of the most important tasks of any pilot. Although air traffic controllers stagger IFR traffic among themselves, in most airspaces not IFR from VFR traffic, especially since the flight path of VFR traffic is generally not known to the controller and also does not require notification.

Further safety measures for all aircraft are defined avoidance rules and the so-called semi - circular flight heights . These specified flight altitudes ( flight levels ) apply in Germany above 1500 m (5000 ft) MSL and are set up in such a way that aircraft approaching each other during cruising flight ideally have an altitude distance of at least 150 m (500 ft) from one another.

In the dark and at night, VFR flights in Germany (except for emergency services) are only permitted to / from specially approved airports. To carry out night flights under visual flight rules one is night qualification required.

Trivia

The abbreviation "VFR" is often jokingly called "view for roads" by pilots. This means that pilots like to orientate themselves on the course of motorways and federal highways in visual flight.

Web links

Wiktionary: Visual flight  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Meyer's large pocket dictionary 1992: Visual flight. ISBN 3-411-11004-X (4th, fully revised edition)
  2. ↑ skyguide.ch: What is light aviation? ( Memento from March 17, 2008 in the Internet Archive )
  3. ↑ dfs.de: Standardized European Rules of the Air ( Memento from November 23, 2015 in the Internet Archive )