ENR 1.2 VISUAL FLIGHT RULES

Visual flight rules are established in QCAR Rules of the Air, Section 5 Visual meteorological conditions, visual flight rules, special VFR and instrument flight rules, RA. 5001 VMC visibility and distance from cloud minima and RA.5005 Visual flight rules.

1. VMC visibility and distance from cloud minima are contained in Table 1.

   Table 1(*)
   VMC visibility and distance from cloud minima
   Altitude band	Airspace class	Flight visibility	Distance from cloud
   (*) When the height of the transition altitude is lower than 3 500 M (10 000 FT) AMSL, FL 100 shall be used in lieu of 10 000 FT. (**) The VMC minima in class A airspace are included for guidance to pilots and do not imply acceptance of VFR flights in class A airspace (***) When so prescribed by the authority:
   (a) Flight visibilities reduced to not less than 1 500 M may be permitted for flights operating: at speeds of 140 KIAS or less to give adequate opportunity to observe other traffic or any obstacles in time to avoid collision; or in circumstances which the probability of encounters with other traffic would normally be low, e.g. in areas with low volume traffic and for aerial work at low levels; (b) Helicopters may be permitted to operate in less than 1 500 M but not less than 800 M flight visibility, if maneuvered at a speed that will give adequate opportunity to observe other traffic or any obstacles in time to avoid collision.
   At and above 3 050 M (10 000 FT) AMSL	A(**) B C D E F G	8 KM	1 500 M horizontally 300 M (1 000 FT) vertically
   Below 3 050 M (10 000 FT) AMSL and above 900 M (3 000 FT) AMSL, or above 300 M (1 000 FT) above terrain, whichever is the higher	A(**) B C D E F G	5 KM	1 500 M horizontally 300 M (1 000 FT) vertically
   At and below 900 M (3 000 FT) AMSL, or 300 M (1 000 FT) above terrain, whichever is the higher	A(**) B C D E	5 KM	1 500 M horizontally 300 M (1 000 FT) vertically
   	F G	5 KM(***)	Clear of cloud and with the surface in sight

2. Except when operating as a special VFR flight, VFR flights shall be conducted so that the aircraft is flown in conditions of those specified in Table 1.
   

3. Except when a special VFR clearance is obtained from an air traffic control unit, VFR flights shall not take off or land at an aerodrome within a control zone, or enter the aerodrome traffic zone or aerodrome traffic circuit when the reported meteorological conditions at that aerodrome are below the following minima:
   1. the ceiling is less than 450 M (1 500 FT); or
   2. the ground visibility is less than 5 KM.
4. When so prescribed by the authority, VFR flights at night may be permitted under the following conditions:
   1. if leaving the vicinity of an aerodrome, a flight plan shall be submitted in accordance with QCAR Rules of the Air, RA.4001(b)(6);
   2. flights shall establish and maintain two-way radio communication on the appropriate ATS communication channel, when available;
   3. the VMC visibility and distance from cloud minima as specified in Table 1 shall apply except that:
      i. the ceiling shall not be less than 450 M (1 500 FT);
      ii. the reduced flight visibility provisions specified in Table 1 (a) and (b) shall not apply;
      iii. in airspace classes B, C, D, E, F and G, at and below 900 M (3 000 FT) AMSL or 300 M (1 000 FT) above terrain, whichever is the higher, the pilot shall maintain continuous sight of the surface; and
      v. for mountainous area, higher VMC visibility and distance from cloud minima may be prescribed by the authority;
5. Except when necessary for take-off or landing, or except when specifically, authorized by the authority, a VFR flight at night shall be flown at a level which is not below the minimum flight altitude established by the State, or, where no such minimum flight altitude has been established:
   1. over high terrain or in mountainous areas, at a level which is at least 600 M (2 000 FT) above the highest obstacle located within 8 KM of the estimated position of the aircraft;
   2. elsewhere than as specified in (i), at a level which is at least 300 M (1 000 FT) above the highest obstacle located within 8 KM of the estimated position of the aircraft.
6. Unless authorized by the authority VFR flights shall not be operated:
   1. at transonic and supersonic speeds unless authorized by the authority;
   2. above FL 195. Exceptions to this requirement are the following:
      1. an airspace reservation has been established, where practical, by the State, in which VFR flights may be allowed; or
      2. airspace up to and including FL 285, when VFR traffic in that airspace has been authorized by the responsible ATS unit in accordance with the authorization procedures established by the State and published in the relevant aeronautical information publication.
7. Authorization for VFR flights to operate above FL 285 shall not be granted where a vertical separation minimum of 300 M (1 000 FT) is applied above FL 290.
   

8. Except when necessary for take-off or landing, or except by permission from the authority, a VFR flight shall not be flown:
   1. over the congested areas of cities, towns or settlements or over an open-air assembly of persons at a height less than 300 M (1 000 FT) above the highest obstacle within a radius of 600 M from the aircraft;
   2. elsewhere than as specified in (1); at a height less than 150 M (500 FT) above the ground or water, or 150 M (500 FT) above the highest obstacle within a radius of 150 M (500 FT) from the aircraft.
9. Unless specifically authorized by ATC, no aircraft shall plan to operate an aircraft under VFR at or above 12 500 FT AMSL. Except where otherwise indicated in air traffic control clearances or specified by the authority, VFR flights in level cruising flight when operated above 900 M (3 000 FT) from the ground or water, or a higher datum as specified by the authority, shall be conducted at a cruising level appropriate to the track as specified in the table of cruising levels in Appendix 3 of QCAR Rules of the air.
   

10. VFR flights shall comply with the provisions of Section 8 of QCAR Rules of the Air:
    1. when operated within Classes B, C and D airspace;
    2. when forming part of aerodrome traffic at controlled aerodromes; or
    3. when operated as special VFR flights.
11. A VFR flight operating within or into areas or along routes designated by the authority, in accordance with QCAR Rules of the Air, RA.4001(b)(3) or (4), shall maintain continuous air-ground voice communication watch on the appropriate communication channel of, and report its position as necessary to, the air traffic services unit providing flight information service.
    

12. An aircraft operated in accordance with the visual flight rules which wishes to change to compliance with the instrument flight rules shall:
    1. if a flight plan was submitted, communicate the necessary changes to be effected to its current flight plan; or
    2. as required by RA.4001(b), submit a flight plan to the appropriate air traffic services unit as soon as practicable and obtain a clearance prior to proceeding IFR when in controlled airspace.