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Simply put: VFR, Visual Flight Rules, you can see outside, you must stay outside clouds, it's your job to not hit other planes and the ground. You do this prima
by inoffensivename 3y ago
Simply put: VFR, Visual Flight Rules, you can see outside, you must stay outside clouds, it's your job to not hit other planes and the ground. You do this primarily by looking out the window.
IFR, Instrument Flight Rules, you are in the clouds and can't see outside, it's air traffic control's job to keep you away from other airplanes and the ground. You keep the plane under control by using your instruments only. Looking out the window yields no information. :-)
- kqr 3y agoIs ATC really responsible for terrain separation? I was under the impression they can advise you when your altitude looks odd, but you are still responsible for avoiding terrain by following procedures and sticking to minimum altitudes, etc.
- alistairSH 3y agoThe pilot is in control. But ATC will provide an altitude they want you to maintain. When you are cleared to land, ATC isn’t doing anything to keep the plane from hitting a building on final approach.
- tass 3y agoThey will provide “clearances” which avoid terrain - if they ask you (for example) to fly direct to LAX, they need to ensure you are told an altitude to fly which keeps you at or above the minimum for whatever is between you and that waypoint. As the pilot you are required to follow the instruction but ATC aren’t responsible for you not doing so. There are situations where you may inadvertently lose communications, so ATC can’t tell you to climb for some future higher altitude requirement. In this case the pilot needs to climb and fly the minimum for the area they are in or airway they are following.