Page 25 - UK SERA Standardises European Rules of the Air Regulations (Consolidated) January 2022

SERA - Standardised European Rules of the Air

(b) Lighting conditions below and above the cloud layer;
(c) The likelihood of the cloud base descending, if flight below cloud is chosen, thus resulting
in terrain clearance being lost;
(d) The possibility of flight above the cloud leading to flight between converging cloud layers;
(e) The possibility of successfully turning back and returning to an area where continuous
sight of surface can be maintained; and
(f) The possibilities for the pilot to establish their location at any point of the route to be flown,
taking into consideration also the terrain elevation and geographical and man-made
obstacles.
SERA.5005(f) AMC1 Visual flight rules
VFR MINIMUM HEIGHTS — PERMISSION FROM THE COMPETENT AUTHORITY
The competent authority should specify the conditions under which the permission is or may be
granted, including the minimum heights above the terrain, water or the highest obstacle within a
radius of 150 m (500 ft) from an aircraft practising forced landings, a balloon or an aircraft executing
ridge or hill soaring.
SERA.5005(f) GM1 Visual flight rules
VFR MINIMUM HEIGHTS — PERMISSION FROM THE COMPETENT AUTHORITY
Subject to an appropriate safety assessment, permission from the competent authority may also be
granted for cases like:
(a) aircraft operating in accordance with the procedure promulgated for the notified route
being flown;
(b) helicopters operating at a height that will permit, in the event of an emergency arising, a
landing to be made without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface;
(c) aircraft picking up or dropping tow ropes, banners or similar articles at an aerodrome;
(d) any other flights not specified above, where specific exemption is required to accomplish
a specific task.
SERA.5010 Special VFR in control zones
Special VFR flights may be authorised to operate within a control zone, subject to an ATC clearance.
Except when permitted by the competent authority for helicopters in special cases such as, but not
limited to, police, medical, search and rescue operations and fire-fighting flights, the following
additional conditions shall be applied:
(a) such special VFR flights may be conducted during day only, unless otherwise permitted
by the competent authority;
(b) by the pilot:
(1) clear of cloud and with the surface in sight;
(2) the flight visibility is not less than 1 500 m or, for helicopters, not less than 800 m;
(3) fly at a speed of 140 kts IAS or less to give adequate opportunity to observe other
traffic and any obstacles in time to avoid a collision; and
(c) an air traffic control unit shall not issue a special VFR clearance to aircraft to 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 ground visibility is less than 1 500 m or, for helicopters, less than 800 m;
(2) the ceiling is less than 180 m (600 ft).
SERA.5010 GM1 Special VFR in control zones
The list of type of operations subject to permit by the competent authority to deviate from the
requirements for special visual flight rules (VFR) flights is not exhaustive. The competent authority
may grant a permit for other kind of helicopter operations such as power line inspections, helicopter
hoist operations, etc.
SERA.5010(a)(3) AMC1 Special VFR in control zones
SPEED LIMIT TO BE APPLIED BY HELICOPTER PILOTS
The 140 kt speed should not be used by helicopters operating at a visibility below 1 500 m. In such
case, a lower speed appropriate to the actual conditions should be applied by the pilot.
SERA.5010(a)(3) GM1 Special VFR in control zones
SPEED LIMIT TO BE APPLIED BY HELICOPTER PILOTS
The 140 kt speed is to be considered as an absolute maximum acceptable speed in order to maintain
an acceptable level of safety when the visibility is 1 500 m or more. Lower speeds should be applied
according to elements such as local conditions, number and experience of pilots on board, using the
guidance of the table below:

SERA.5010(b)(2) GM1 Special VFR in control zones
When assessing the prevailing flight visibility, the pilots should use their best judgement. The
assessment should be based, for example, on the pilot’s overall flight experience, knowledge of local
conditions and procedures, visible landmarks, etc. Furthermore, the pilot should possess the latest
weather observations and forecasts.
SERA.5010(b)(3) AMC1 Special VFR in control zones
SPEED LIMIT TO BE APPLIED BY HELICOPTER PILOTS
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