7-5-1

Authorization

JO 7110.65BB, Change 3, effective July 9, 2026 · Official text on faa.gov

SVFR operations in weather conditions less than basic VFR minima are authorized:
Reference

FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 2-1-4, Operational Priority.
FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points.
14 CFR Section 91.157, Special SVFR Weather Minimums.
14 CFR Part 194, Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) No. 120-Powered‐Lift Subpart C, 194.302 Provisions Under Part 91 Applicable to Powered‐Lift.
1. At any location not prohibited by 14 CFR part 91, Appendix D or when an exemption to 14 CFR part 91 has been granted and an associated LOA established. 14 CFR part 91 does not prohibit SVFR helicopter operations.
2. Powered‐lift aircraft, for the purposes of SVFR operations contained in this section, must be handled as helicopters.
3. Only within the lateral boundaries of Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class E surface areas, below 10,000 feet MSL. SVFR is not authorized within Class E extension areas.
4. Only when requested by the pilot.
5. On the basis of weather conditions reported at the airport for which the surface area is designated.
  Reference
  
  FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 7-5-6, Climb to VFR.
  FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 7-5-7, Ground Visibility Below One Mile.
6. When weather conditions are not reported at the airport of intended landing/departure and the pilot advises that VFR cannot be maintained and requests SVFR.
  Phraseology
  
  CLEARED TO ENTER/OUT OF/THROUGH, (name) SURFACE AREA
  and if required,
  (direction) OF (name) AIRPORT (specified routing),
  and
  MAINTAIN SPECIAL V-F-R CONDITIONS,
  and if required,
  AT OR BELOW (altitude below 10,000 feet MSL)
  or as applicable under an exemption from 14 CFR part 91,
  CLEARED FOR (coded arrival or departure procedure) ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE, (additional instructions as required).
  
  Reference
  
  FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 2-4-22, Airspace Classes.
Do not authorize VFR operations beneath a broken or overcast ceiling within a surface area when the reported ceiling at the primary airport is less than 1,000 feet. A Special VFR clearance is required.
Reference

14 CFR Section 91.155(c), Basic VFR Weather Minimums.

Note

VFR operations are authorized within a surface area when operating above a ceiling that is reported as less than 1,000 feet AGL in accordance with 14 CFR section 91.155(a).
SVFR operations may be authorized for aircraft operating in or transiting a Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class E surface area when the primary airport is reporting VFR but the pilot advises that basic VFR cannot be maintained.
Note

The basic requirements for issuance of a SVFR clearance in subparagraph a apply with the obvious exception that weather conditions at the controlling airport are not required to be less than basic VFR minima.