Mon Jan 18, 2021 11:09 am
#1820812
I think this is in the pipeline for a few months time.
It's probably worth reflecting on the limitations of the old UK rule, I suspect it is more limiting than many understood. ICAO classifications required that VFR has 1,000 ft vertically from cloud in class D airspace. SVFR allows that to be reduced to "clear of cloud" when in receipt of a SVFR clearance.
SVFR does require ATC separation, but other states seem to manage this since separation minima are not set in law.
All the old UK rule really did was build SVFR into the rule such that if you were in sight of the surface, less than 140 kts etc you could just be "clear of cloud" and 1500m visibility without having to be formally SVFR or for separation minima to change. It only applied below 3,000 ft though. In all other circumstances the standard ICAO 1,000ft rule has always applied in the UK since it appeared in c.1990.
One of advantage of the UK rule was it is applied in all class D, not just CTRs in which SVFR can apply. So you might if transiting a low CTA gain an advantage, although not sure how much difference that makes in practice.