Definition of Visual Meteorological Conditions

Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) are expressed in terms of:

  • Visibility
  • Distance from cloud horizontally
  • Distance from cloud vertically (ceiling)

To fly VFR you must be in VMC.

The minimum requirements for VMC vary depending on the class of airspace, altitude, and airspeed.

TIP: forward/ horizontal measurements in aviation (UK) are given in meters, kilometres and nautical miles, whereas vertical measurements are given in feet.

If a pilot suffers radio communications failure during a VFR flight in VMC they should continue to fly in VMC, land at the nearest suitable aerodrome and report his arrival to his destination airfield.