Skip to main content

The Difference between VFR and IFR Flying Explained

There are two sets of rules for flying any aircraft: VFR and IFR. VFR stands for Visual Flight Rules. IFR stands for Instrument Flight Rules. Depending on the weather conditions a pilot may opt for one set of rules or the other. Mostly, it’s the weather that makes the pilot fly VFR or IFR.

What is the difference between VFR and IFR flying?

VFR normally means “see and avoid”. Under VFR, an aircraft is flown just like driving a car with eye movement and the pilot can see where he is going. VFR pilots maintain a ‘see and avoid’ principle when the visual meteorological conditions (VMC) are favorable. VFR is the usual way to fly a small craft. Under VRF, a pilot, however, cannot fly through clouds, which means they must go under, around, or divert if the clouds form a block en-route.

In Nepal, for example, a IFR pilot can fly on the visibility of just 1,600 meters to 2,200 meters, depending on the aircraft type, says Ram Krishna Bhatta, an air traffic controller at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport. Visibility is a measure of the distance at which an object or light can be clearly seen. 

In order to fly VFR, Visual Meteorological Conditions have to be maintained. It, basically, means you cannot fly through clouds and need to keep a safe distance. In some types of airspace, you also have to see the ground. As VFR flights rule, pilots are responsible for seeing other aircraft and avoiding a collision.

They have to maintain vertical and horizontal separation. As per the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal rules, an 8 kilometers horizontal separation is required for a flight under the VFR rules at and above 3,050 meters [10,000 feet] above mean sea level and 5 kilometers below 3,050 meters above mean sea level. There must be no cloud within 1,500 meters [5,000 feet] horizontally or 300 meters [1,000 feet] vertically from the aircraft. 

Similarly, an aircraft must maintain an altitude of 300 meters [1,000 feet] over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement. In hills, the aircraft should maintain 600 meters [2,000 feet] altitude from the ground. Flying VFR is beneficial in busy airspace. In Nepal for example, there can be long delays for IFR departures because there are so many requests. 

Aviating under IFR

Under IFR rules, a pilot is authorized to fly into clouds in what is called zero visibility. It’s called instrument flight because the pilot navigates only by reference to the instruments in the aircraft cockpit. Unlike VFR flights, IFR happens usually within controlled airspace and requires filing a flight plan, usually, ahead of time. The flying is not completely at the pilot’s discretion. Established waypoints and airways have to be used and the altitude for the flight is determined. 

IFR requires a ceiling less than 300 meters [1,000 feet] above ground level and visibility of fewer than three miles. During flight under IFR, there are no visibility requirements, so flying through clouds or other conditions where there is zero visibility outside the aircraft is legal and safe. According to air traffic controller Bhatta, additional time is required for the preparation of the IFR flight plan.

In controlled en-route airspace, the horizontal separation standard between the same types of aircraft flying at the same altitude is 5 minutes. If a smaller aircraft is ahead, for the bigger aircraft, the horizontal separation standard should be 10 minutes. And if a bigger aircraft is ahead to land, for smaller aircraft, the horizontal separation standard should be 2 minutes. Therefore, for smaller planes, which are normally flown on VFR condition, flights are delayed sometimes if the weather deteriorates to prepare for IFR flight.

Source - Buddha Air's Aircraft Blog

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

7 Must Do Things in Mustang

Mustang, also known as the "Mini Tibet of the Nepal" is a heavenly place that has a lot of great things in store for you. Located towards the North-West part of Nepal, at an elevation of 3840 meters, the divine topography is bound to make you astounded and bewildered. This place is a great attraction site for both international and domestic tourists. You can also make a great trip with Buddha Holidays, for best travel tour packages in Nepal on reasonable price.  Visit the Muktinath Temple: Since the temple is built at an altitude of 3800 meters, the temple holds a record for the "World's Highest Altitude Located Temples". The temple is sacred in the Hindu Vaishnavas and is known as a place of salvation. Here, it is said that the five essential elements of life (i.e. air, water, earth, fire, and space) co-exist in perfect harmony. Take a bath at the Muktidhara: There are 108 waterspouts around the temple from where crisp water flows straight from the ...

5 Unknown Facts About Nepal

Nepal is a small yet exquisite country sandwiched in between two giants: India and China. Though the country may be famous as the land of Mount Everest and as the birthplace of Lord Buddha, there is a lot more to Nepal. The mesmerizing landscapes and the thrilling adventurous activities might attract visitors and travelers to the country, but here are a few more enticing and interesting facts you should know about Nepal which will have you at the edge of your seat. Affordable Tour Packages Nepal  An Independent Country and Homeland to the Fierce Gurkhas The famous warriors in the world, the world is widely known as the fierce fighters, are the Nepalese Gurkha soldiers. These brave soldiers have protected their motherland, and because of their contribution and sacrifices, Nepal has never celebrated Independence day as the country was never colonized. Impressed by their skills and courage, the Gurkhas were recruited in regiments within the army of the British East India ...

Dealing with Altitude Sickness while Trekking

Altitude sickness is the sickness induced when one moves forward to higher altitudes or higher elevations. In Nepal, various locals and tourists get the symptoms of this sickness while trekking to mountains. Generally, the probability of getting altitude sickness starts from 3500 meters. The reason behind altitude sickness is due to less oxygen exposure in high altitudes.    Adventure Tour Packages in Nepal    In some cases, the body will adjust to the surrounding, decreasing the risk of altitude sickness. Some dangerous forms of altitude sickness can lead to life-threatening issues. The risk of altitude sickness is seen in 20% of people when they are at a height of 8,000 m and 40% of people, at a height of 10,000 m. There is no hard and fast rule as to why people might suffer from altitude sickness. Anyone in the high altitudes is prone to it. However, young people, people residing in lower altitudes, and those who are suffering from respiratory diseases are more su...