--- title: "SERA.5010 Special VFR in control zones — ANNEX: Rules of the Air, SERA · 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/sera/annex-rules-of-the-air/section-5/sera-5010" --- # SERA.5010 Special VFR in control zones ANNEX: Rules of the Air · Regulation (EU) No 923/2012 · EAR revision 26 Aug 2025 IR Implementing rule ## SERA.5010 Special VFR in control zones Special [VFR](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/vfr) flights may be authorised to operate within a [control zone](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/control-zone), subject to an ATC clearance. Except when otherwise permitted by the [competent authority](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/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: (a) such special VFR flights may be conducted during day only, unless otherwise permitted by the competent authority; (b) by the pilot: (1) clear of cloud and with the surface in sight; (2) the [flight visibility](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/flight-visibility) is not less than 1 500 m or, for helicopters, not less than 800 m; (3) fly at a speed of 140 kts IAS or less to give adequate opportunity to observe other traffic and any obstacles in time to avoid a collision; and (c) an [air traffic control unit](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/air-traffic-control-unit) shall not issue a special VFR clearance to [aircraft](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aircraft) to take off or land at an [aerodrome](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aerodrome) within a control zone, or enter the [aerodrome traffic circuit](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aerodrome-traffic-circuit) within a control zone, when the reported meteorological conditions at that aerodrome are below the following minima: (1) the [ground visibility](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/ground-visibility) is less than 1 500 m or, for helicopters, less than 800 m; (2) the [ceiling](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/ceiling) is less than 180 m (600 ft). IR · SERA.5010 — Regulation (EU) No 923/2012 · Regulation (EU) 2024/404 · SERA Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 26 Aug 2025 GM Guidance material ## GM1 SERA.5010 Special VFR in control zones The list of type of operations subject to permit by the [competent authority](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/competent-authority) to deviate from the requirements for special visual flight rules ([VFR](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/vfr)) flights is not exhaustive. The competent authority may grant a permit for other kind of helicopter operations such as power line inspections, helicopter hoist operations, etc. GM · GM1 SERA.5010 — Regulation (EU) No 923/2012 · ED Decision 2016/023/R · SERA Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 26 Aug 2025 GM Guidance material ## GM1 SERA.5010(b)(2) Special VFR in control zones When assessing the prevailing [flight visibility](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/flight-visibility), the pilots should use their best judgement. The assessment should be based, for example, on the pilot’s overall flight experience, knowledge of local conditions and procedures, visible landmarks, etc. Furthermore, the pilot should possess the latest weather observations and forecasts. GM · GM1 SERA.5010(b)(2) — Regulation (EU) No 923/2012 · ED Decision 2016/023/R · SERA Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 26 Aug 2025 AMC Acceptable means of compliance ## AMC1 SERA.5010(b)(3) Special VFR in control zones SPEED LIMIT TO BE APPLIED BY HELICOPTER PILOTS The 140 kt-speed should not be used by helicopters operating at a visibility below 1 500 m. In such case, a lower speed appropriate to the actual conditions should be applied by the pilot. AMC · AMC1 SERA.5010(b)(3) — Regulation (EU) No 923/2012 · ED Decision 2016/023/R · SERA Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 26 Aug 2025 GM Guidance material ## GM1 SERA.5010(b)(3) Special VFR in control zones SPEED LIMIT TO BE APPLIED BY HELICOPTER PILOTS The 140 kt speed is to be considered as an absolute maximum acceptable speed in order to maintain an acceptable [level](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/level) of safety when the visibility is 1 500 m or more. Lower speeds should be applied according to elements such as local conditions, number and experience of pilots on board, using the guidance of the table below: | Visibility (m) | Advisory speed (kt) | | -------------- | ------------------- | | 800 | 50 | | 1 500 | 100 | | 2 000 | 120 | GM · GM1 SERA.5010(b)(3) — Regulation (EU) No 923/2012 · ED Decision 2013/013/R · SERA Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 26 Aug 2025 GM Guidance material ## GM1 SERA.5010(c) Special VFR in control zones ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL [VFR](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/vfr) CLEARANCE When the reported [ground visibility](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/ground-visibility) at the [aerodrome](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aerodrome) is less than 1 500 m, ATC may issue a special VFR clearance for a flight crossing the [control zone](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/control-zone) and not intending to land at an aerodrome within the control zone, or enter the [aerodrome traffic circuit](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aerodrome-traffic-circuit) when the [flight visibility](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/flight-visibility) reported by the pilot is not less than 1 500 m, or, for helicopters, not less than 800 m. GM · GM1 SERA.5010(c) — Regulation (EU) No 923/2012 · ED Decision 2024/007/R · SERA Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 26 Aug 2025 [All rules in SECTION 5 Visual meteorological conditions, visual flight rules, special VFR and instrument flight rules](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/sera/annex-rules-of-the-air/section-5) Consolidated from the EASA Easy Access Rules (revision 26 Aug 2025, extracted 13 Oct 2026) for convenience. Not the official publication — verify against the Official Journal of the European Union and the EASA publications before operational use.