Flight Categories
Weather conditions at airports are divided into categories to determine if a flight can be conducted under visual rules or if an instrument approach is required.
- VFR: Ceiling > 3000 ft and Visibility > 5 SM. Best conditions for visual flight.
- MVFR: Ceiling 1000-3000 ft or Visibility 3-5 SM. Caution required.
- IFR: Ceiling 500-1000 ft or Visibility 1-3 SM. Requires an instrument rating.
- LIFR: Ceiling < 500 ft or Visibility < 1 SM. Critically low conditions.