---
title: "ATS.TR.270 Authorisation of special VFR — SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR PROVIDERS OF AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES, ATM/ANS · Avioverse"
description: "Special VFR flights may be authorised to operate within a control zone, subject to an ATC clearance."
url: "https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/atm-ans/part-ats/subpart-b/ats-tr-270"
---

# ATS.TR.270 Authorisation of special VFR

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR PROVIDERS OF AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES · Regulation (EU) 2017/373 · EAR revision 12 Mar 2025

Official sources: [EASA Easy Access Rules (opens in a new tab)](https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/document-library/easy-access-rules/easy-access-rules-air-traffic-managementair-navigation-services-provision-services) · [EUR-Lex 2017/373 (opens in a new tab)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32017R0373)

IR Implementing rule

## ATS.TR.270 Authorisation of special VFR

(a) Special VFR flights may be authorised to operate within a control zone, subject to an ATC clearance. Except when otherwise permitted by the competent authority for helicopters in special cases such as, but not limited to, police, medical, search and rescue operations and firefighting flights, the following additional conditions shall apply:

(1) such special VFR flights may be conducted during day only, unless otherwise permitted by the competent authority;

(2) by the pilot:

(i) clear of cloud and with the surface in sight;

(ii) the flight visibility is not less than 1 500 m or, for helicopters, not less than 800 m;

(iii) fly at a speed of 140 kt IAS or less to give adequate opportunity to observe other traffic and any obstacles in time to avoid a collision;

(3) An air traffic control unit shall not issue a special VFR clearance to aircraft to take off or land at an aerodrome within a control zone, or enter the aerodrome traffic circuit within a control zone, when the reported meteorological conditions at that aerodrome are below the following minima:

(i) the ground visibility is less than 1 500 m or, for helicopters, less than 800 m;

(ii) the ceiling is less than 180 m (600 ft).

(b) An air traffic control unit shall handle requests for such an authorisation individually.

IR · ATS.TR.270 — Regulation (EU) 2017/373 · Regulation (EU) 2024/403 · ATM/ANS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 12 Mar 2025

GM Guidance material

## GM1 ATS.TR.270 Authorisation of special VFR

SPECIAL VFR — DEVIATIONS

The list of type of operations subject to permit by the competent authority to deviate from the requirements for special VFR flights is not exhaustive. The competent authority may grant a permit for other kinds of helicopter operations such as power line inspections, helicopter hoist operations, etc.

GM · GM1 ATS.TR.270 — Regulation (EU) 2017/373 · ED Decision 2020/008/R · ATM/ANS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 12 Mar 2025

GM Guidance material

## GM1 ATS.TR.270(a)(3) Authorisation of special VFR

SPECIAL VFR IN CONTROL ZONES

When the reported ground visibility at the aerodrome is less than 1 500 m, air traffic control units may issue a special VFR clearance for a flight crossing the control zone and not intending to land at an aerodrome within the control zone, or enter the aerodrome traffic circuit when the flight visibility reported by the pilot is not less than 1 500 m, or, for helicopters, not less than 800 m.

\[applicable from 1 May 2025 - ED Decision 2024/006/R]

GM · GM1 ATS.TR.270(a)(3) — Regulation (EU) 2017/373 · ED Decision 2024/006/R · ATM/ANS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 12 Mar 2025

[All rules in SUBPART B — TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PROVIDERS OF AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES (ATS.TR)](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/atm-ans/part-ats/subpart-b)

Consolidated from the EASA Easy Access Rules (revision 12 Mar 2025, extracted 2 Nov 2026) for convenience. Not the official publication — verify against the Official Journal of the European Union and the EASA publications before operational use.