johnm wrote:I am confused about the reference to ATZ as in Class G there is no issue. SVFR in Class D allows clear of cloud and insight of the surface and IMHO if the weather makes that hard the controller managed separation is a benefit to all
The reference to ATZs was made because the video in question comprises a request to transit the ATZ of an airfield within a Class D CTR. The request was made due to a change in flight path caused by a desire to remain 1000' vertically from cloud as per SERA VFR rules. An ATCO commented on the video, explaining that as far as they're concerned, the lateral limits of the ATZ represent the geographical edge of their interest in the cloud ceiling. They wouldn't deny someone a VFR transit clearance
for a routing outside the ATZ which would contravene VFR cloud separation minima for Class D, because they don't know where the cloud is beyond the lateral limits of the ATZ. They only care about the ceiling and visibility within the ATZ, into which they can't clear VFR flight if the visibility is less than 5km and the ceiling is lower than 1500'.
A SVFR clearance would allow a 'clear of cloud and in sight of surface' Class D transit. My interpretation of the 'dilemma' in the video is the pilot deciding whether to:
a) accept a simple VFR zone transit which could, in the eyes of the pilot, contravene SERA VFR in Class D cloud separation minima
b) request a cloud-compliant VFR transit which would require a less-than-ideal flight path and a potentially confusing exchange with ATC
c) request a SVFR clearance, knowing that it is theoretically less likely to be issued than a VFR clearance due to SVFR traffic requiring separation from IFR traffic in Class D
d) request an IFR clearance
The pilot elected to go with b).