IRImplementing rule
SERA.5001VMC visibility and distance from cloud minima
VMC visibility and distance from cloud minima are contained in Table S5-1.
| Table S5-1 (*) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Altitude band | Airspace class | Flight visibility | Distance from cloud |
| 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 | 1500 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 | 1500 m horizontally 300 m (1 000 ft) vertically |
| F G | 5 km (***) | Clear of cloud and with the surface in sight | |
(*) When the height of the transition altitude is lower than 3 050 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 competent authority:
(a)flight visibilities reduced to not less than 1 500 m may be permitted for flights operating:
(1)at speeds of 140 kts IAS or less to give adequate opportunity to observe other traffic or any obstacles in time to avoid collision; or
(2)in circumstances in which the probability of encounters with other traffic would normally be low, e.g. in areas of 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 manoeuvred at a speed that will give adequate opportunity to observe other traffic or any obstacles in time to avoid collision.
IR · SERA.5001 — Regulation (EU) No 923/2012 · Regulation (EU) 2016/1185 · SERA Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 26 Aug 2025