ENR 1  GENERAL RULES AND PROCEDURES

ENR 1.1   VISUAL FLIGHT RULES

[ENR 1.2]

1.   Except when operating as a Special VFR, VFR flights shall be conducted so that the aircraft is flown in conditions of visibility and distance from clouds equal to or greater than those specified in table below.

Airspace classCG
Above 3000 ft AMSL * At and below 3000 ft AMSL
Distance from cloud1500 m horizontally1000 ft verticallyClear of cloud and in sight of the surface
Flight visibility8 km at and above 10 000 ft AMSL 5 km below 10 000 ft AMSL * 5 km * (* )

Note. When flight with a visibility of less than 5 km is permitted, the forward visibility should not be less than the distance travelled by the helicopter in 30 seconds so as to give adequate opportunity to see and avoid obstacle (see table below)

Flight visibility (m)Recommended true airspeed (kt)
80050
1500100
2000120
1.1  When VFR flight is conducted, it is prohibited to enter any clouds with preliminary intent.
1.2  To enter controlled airspace without permission by appropriate ATC is prohibited.
1.3  Aircraft navigation equipment for operation under VFR during day over routes not navigated by reference to visual landmarks shall be in accordance with paragraph 5.1.1 of ICAO Annex 2.

2.   Except when a clearance is obtained from an air traffic control unit, an aircraft in VFR flight shall not take off or land at an aerodrome within a control zone, or enter the aerodrome traffic zone or traffic pattern:

  1. when the ceiling is less than 1500 ft (450 m); or
  2. when the ground visibility is less than 5 km.
2.1  Special VFR flights within controlled airspace shall be conducted so that the ground visibility is at least:
  1. 1500 m by day;
  2. 5 km by night.

The ceiling shall not be lower than to permit the flight to be conducted at the applicable minimum height clear of clouds and in sight of ground or water.

Note: For helicopters executing special VFR flights, ground visibility shall not be less than:

  1. 800 m – by day;
  2. 3 km – by night.

3.   For VFR flights during night the following provisions apply:

  1. within controlled airspace the ground visibility shall be at least 8 km, (for helicopters – not less than 5 km) and the ceiling shall not be lower than 1500 ft;
  2. within ATZ airspace the ground visibility shall be at least 5 km, (for helicopters – not less than 3 km), the ceiling shall not be lower than 1200 ft and airfield shall be constantly visible;
  3. within uncontrolled airspace class “G” the ground visibility shall be at least 8 km (for helicopters – not less than 5 km) and the ceiling shall not be lower than 2000 ft (for helicopters – not less than 1200 ft).
3.1  VFR flights operating during night over routes not navigated by reference to visual landmarks are not permitted.

4.   According to Commission Regulation (EC) No 730/2006 VFR flights are permitted above flight level 195 in Class C Airspace only in reserved areas (Temporary Segregated Area or its equivalent).

5.   Authorization for VFR flights to operate above FL 285 shall not be granted in areas where a vertical separation minimum of 1000 ft is applied above FL 285.

General Aviation, Sporting and Aerial Work flights above FL 285 must be contained within Temporary Segregated Area, or its equivalent, on the basis that RVSM procedures and requirements do not apply within Temporary Segregated Area or its equivalent.

6.   Except when necessary for take-off or landing, or except by permission from Latvian Civil Aviation Agency, a VFR flight shall not be flown:

  1. over the congested areas of cities, towns or settlements or over an open-air assembly of persons at a height less than 1000 ft above the highest obstacle within a radius of 600 m from the aircraft;
  2. elsewhere than as specified in 6 (a), at a height less than 500 ft above the ground or water.

Note: Executing Aerial Works helicopters are cleared to fly below these heights in accordance with Helicopter Flight Manual requirements.

7.   VFR level flights :

  1. within airspace of Class C when operated at and above 3000 ft from the ground or water shall be conducted at an altitude or at a flight level appropriate to the track as specified in the column “IFR” flights of the Tables of cruising levels (see ENR-1.4);
  2. within airspace of Class G when operated at and above 3500 ft from the ground or water shall be conducted at an altitude or at a flight level appropriate to the track as specified in the column “VFR flights” of the Tables of cruising levels (see AIP ENR-1.4).

8.   VFR flights shall comply with the provisions of paragraph 3.6 of ICAO Annex 2:

  1. when operated within class “C” airspace below FL 285;
  2. when forming part of aerodrome traffic at controlled aerodromes;
  3. when operated as Special VFR flights.

Note: Flight level must not be allocated as a cruising level.

9.   An aircraft conducting VFR flights within uncontrolled airspace is not obliged to establish two-way communications with appropriate air traffic control unit.

9.1  When an aircraft is conducting VFR flights within traffic information areas (TIA) and traffic information zones (TIZ), communication procedures according to AFIS regulations shall be carried out.
9.2  For VFR flights within uncontrolled airspace frequency 123.95 MHz should be used as common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) by the pilots for self-announcing of their positions and intentions in the blind or for air-air communications in order to exchange with information.
9.3  For VFR flights within ATZ (an aircraft is conducting landing at or taking-off from ATZ located aerodrome, or is crossing ATZ), a pilot should monitor continuously air-air communication on frequency 123.95 MHz at least 10 minutes before arrival at ATZ located aerodrome or its crossing in order to be informed about the air traffic situation and transmit blind the following information:
  1. Inbound traffic:
    1. altitude, location of the aircraft and further intentions - 3 minutes before entering the traffic circle or 10 km (5 NM) from the aerodrome;
    2. RWY to be used for landing;
    3. entering traffic pattern and altitude (downwind, base legs and final);
    4. vacating the RWY;
  2. Outbound traffic:
    1. intention for departure;
    2. RWY to be used for take-off;
    3. intended flight direction and altitude or circling.
9.4  For VFR flights within Liepaja TMA/CTR beyond TWR operation hours Liepaja TWR frequency 129.4 MHz should be used as common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) by the pilots for self-announcing of their positions and intentions in the blind as mentioned above in 9.3 (a) and (b) or for air-air communications in order to exchange with information.
For more detailed information see EVLA AD 2-22.
9.5  An aircraft conducting VFR flights within uncontrolled airspace may receive the necessary information by establishing two-way radio communication with corresponding sector of TMA or CTA.

10.   An aircraft operating in accordance with VFR wishing to change to compliance with IFR shall:

  1. if a flight plan was submitted, communicate the necessary changes to be effected to its current flight plan, or
  2. when so required by paragraph 3.3.1.2 of ICAO Annex 2, submit a flight plan to the appropriate air traffic services unit and obtain a clearance prior to proceeding IFR when in controlled airspace.

11.   Submission of a flight plan.

11.1   When search and rescue provision is necessary conducting VFR flight during day, the flight plan shall be submitted.
11.2   Conducting VFR en-route flight during night, the flight plan shall be submitted mandatory.

Note. An en-route flight is a flight exceeding more than 15 NM (28 km) from the aerodrome of departure.

12.   The pilot in-command of an aircraft for VFR flights shall, whether manipulating the controls or not, be responsible for:

  1. proper execution of the operation of the aircraft in accordance with the “Rules of the Air”
  2. observance of minimum safe altitude;
  3. timely notification to the appropriate ATC unit when an aircraft is unable to continue under VFR because of meteorological or other reasons and wishes to return to departure (alternate) aerodrome or change to compliance with IFR;
  4. accurate notification of aircraft position and flight conditions;
  5. timely and accurate execution of instructions of ATC unit.