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SVFR and NVFR

Night VFR Aircraft(NVFR) EntryStandard intoOperating Controlled AirspaceProcedures (CTR)SOP)

CoordinationDefinition

Night VFR (NVFR) refers to visual flight operations conducted at night. The applicable period is from the beginning of civil twilight to the end of civil dawn. Accurate timing for VFRthese Entryperiods can be referenced in published tables.

Key Considerations for Controllers

WhenControllers amanaging NVFR traffic must be aware of two primary aspects:

1. Continuous Radio Communication Requirement

For VFRsafety aircraft is approaching controlled airspace (CTR)reasons, theNVFR responsiblepilots must maintain Aircontinuous Traffictwo-way Servicesradio (ATS) unitcommunication shouldthroughout coordinatetheir the entry in advance.flight.

  • InNVFR aircraft departing a high-trafficcontrolled conditionsaerodrome, must be handed off from the receivingtower controller may request modifications to the aircraft’sappropriate altitude,radar routing,(approach or evencenter) deny entrycontroller if necessary for sequencing and separation..
  • For VFRNVFR aircraft arrivingdeparting from an uncontrolled airspaceaerodrome (AFIS station), controllers should send amust contact requestself-transfer (e.g., .contactme) 2 to 5the minutesrelevant radar frequency.
  • Unlike standard VFR flights, pilots must not be allowed to leave the frequency when reaching the outer reporting point. Instead, they must be transferred to the appropriate radar controller.

2. Flight Plan Requirement for NVFR Flights

  • A flight plan is mandatory when an NVFR aircraft leaves the immediate vicinity of the departure aerodrome.
  • Pilots are responsible for ensuring their NVFR flight plan is filed and activated before the aircraft reaches the CTR boundary.departure.

EstablishingMyth: ContactNVFR withClearance

A common misconception is that a “Night VFR Arrivalsclearance”

Uponexists, initialsimilar contactto with ana inboundSpecial VFR aircraft(SVFR) clearance, the controller should:.

    Clarification:

    • There is Confirmno theseparate pilot’sNVFR intentionsclearance (e.g., full-stop landing, touch-and-go, low approach, etc.).
    • NVFR flights Issuefollow astandard VFR arrivalentry, clearanceexit, and routing procedures, includingwith relevantthe routingadditional instructions.requirement of continuous radio contact and a filed flight plan when leaving the airport vicinity.
    • Assign a squawk code, if not already assigned, for radar identification.

VFRPhraseology Arrival ClearancesExample

ForHandoff arrivalsfrom usingTower publishedto VFRRadar routes:Controller

A VFR route clearance should include:

  • Route name (if applicable)
  • Assigned arrival runway
  • Local QNH
  • Squawk code (if needed)
  • Reporting instructions (e.g., report at the final visual reporting point before joining the circuit)

Example Phraseology:

[CALLSIGN], followCONTACT [VFRRADAR ROUTE]UNIT] for runwayON [XX], QNH [XXXX], [SQUAWK if necessary], report passing [REPORTING POINT]FREQUENCY].

Example:

Cessna 45X, followcontact RouteApproach 5on for Runway 27, QNH 1013, report passing the Lake.123.450.

ForFlight arrivalsPlan not using a VFR route:Confirmation

If an aircraft is not following a designated VFR route, the controller should provide an arrival clearance with appropriate routing instructions, including:

  • Heading or visual reporting point
  • Altitude restriction (if required)
  • Local QNH
  • Squawk code (if needed)

Example Phraseology:

[CALLSIGN], [ROUTING],CONFIRM [ALT],FLIGHT QNHPLAN [XXXX],FILED [SQUAWKFOR ifNIGHT necessary].VFR.

Example:

Piper 32B,67Y, joinconfirm leftflight downwindplan Runwayfiled 18,for maintainNight 1500 feet, QNH 1008.VFR.

SequencingOperational and Landing ProceduresSummary

Before

anaircraftis thepilotmustestablishwithappropriatetrafficconditions:

  • The aircraft may be instructed to hold outside the airspace or orbit to manage congestion.
  • Once inside the CTR, the aircraft will be integrated into the traffic circuit for landing.
  • The controller will assign a sequence number, indicating the aircraft’s position in the landing order.

Example of Landing Sequence Assignment:

[CALLSIGN], number [X], follow [AIRCRAFT TYPE] on [LEG], report traffic in sight.

Example:

Cessna 82Y, number 3, follow the Airbus A320 on final, report traffic in sight.

The sequence number helps pilots understand where they fit in the landing order and ensures safe spacing between arrivals.

Requirement clearedStandard VFRNight VFR (NVFR)
Continuous Radio ContactNot always requiredMandatory
Flight Plan RequiredOnly for cross-border flightsRequired when leaving aerodrome vicinity
Handoff to landRadarNot always required, Mandatory
Clearance communicationType VFR theclearance No controller.separate DependingNVFR onclearance

By followingadhering to these procedures, VFR arrivalscontrollers can be smoothly integrated into controlled airspace, ensuringensure safe and efficient traffichandling flowof whileNVFR operations, maintaining proper separation fromand IFRcommunication operations.with all aircraft operating under night visual flight rules.

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