Except when operating as a special VFR flight, 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 the Table 1.

Except when a clearance is obtained from an air traffic control unit, VFR flights 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 than1500 FT (450 M); or
2. when the ground visibility is less than 5 KM.

Special VFR flights are authorised to operate within a control zone and is subject to an ATC clearance. Except when permitted by the competent authority for helicopters in special cases such as, medical flights, search and rescue operations, fire-fighting and training flights concerning to them, special VFR flights may be conducted during day only and the following additional conditions shall be applied:

1. By pilot:
   • clear of cloud and with the surface in sight;
   • the flight visibility is not less than 1 500m (5000 ft);
   • 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
2. By ATC:
   • the ground visibility is not less than 1 500 m (5000 ft) or, for helicopters, not less than 800 m (2500 ft);
   • the ceiling is less than 180 m (600 ft).

VFR flights at night are permitted under the following conditions:

1. the ceiling shall not be less than 450 m (1500 ft);
2. in airspace classes B, C, D, E, F and G, at and below 900 m (3 000 ft) above MSL or 300 m (1 000 ft) above terrain, whichever is the higher, the pilot shall maintain continuous sight of the surface;
3. for helicopters in airspace classes F and G at and below 900 m (3 000 ft) above MSL or 300 m (1 000 ft) above terrain, whichever is the higher, flight visibility shall not be less than 3 km, provided that the pilot maintains continuous sight of the surface and if manoeuvred at a speed that will give adequate opportunity to observe other traffic or obstacles in time to avoid collision.

Except when necessary for take-off or landing, or except when specifically authorised by the competent authority, VFR flight at night shall be flown at a level which is not below the established minimum flight altitude, or

• over high terrain or in mountainous areas, at a level which is at least 600 m (2 000 ft) above the highest obstacle located within 8 km of the estimated position of the aircraft;
• elsewhere than as specified above, at a level which is at least 300 m (1 000 ft) above the highest obstacle located within 8 km of the estimated position of the aircraft.

VFR flights at night are not permitted from unprepared airfield, except when:

1. landing was during day, pilot is prepared and has defined safe direction and airfield has appropriate lighting, or
2. helicopter is equipped with night vision imaging systems and pilot is permitted/trained for such flights.

Unless authorized by the appropriate ATS authority, VFR flights shall not be operated:

1. above FL 200;
2. at transonic and supersonic speeds.

VFR flight above flight level 195, up to and including flight level 285, may also be authorised by the responsible air traffic services unit in accordance with the authorisation procedures.

Authorisation for VFR flights to operate above FL 290 shall not be granted in areas where a vertical separation minimum of 300 M (1000 FT) is applied above FL 290.

Except when necessary for take-off or landing, or except by permission from the appropriate authority, 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 (300 M) above the highest obstacle within a radius of 600 M from the aircraft;
2. in any other areas at a height less than 500 FT (150 M) above the ground or water.

Except where otherwise indicated in air traffic control clearances or specified by the appropriate ATS authority, VFR flights in level cruising flight when operated above 3000 FT (900 M) from the ground or water shall be conducted at a flight level appropriate to the track as specified in the Tables of cruising level.

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

1. when operated within Class C airspace;
2. when forming part of aerodrome traffic at controlled aerodromes; or
3. when operated as special VFR flights.

A VFR flight operating within, or along routes, designated by the appropriate ATS authority shall maintain continuous air-ground voice communication watch on the appropriate communication channel of, and report its position as necessary to, the air traffic services unit providing flight information service.

An aircraft operated in accordance with the visual flight rules which intends to change to compliance with the instrument flight rules 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 ENR 1.10 of Georgian AIP, submit a flight plan to the appropriate air traffic services unit and obtain a clearance prior to proceeding IFR when in controlled airspace.

Table 1.

Altitude band	Airspace class	Flight visibility	Distance from cloud
At and above 3050 m (10000 ft) AMSL	A B C D E F G	8 km	1500 m horizontally 300 m (1000 ft) vertically
Below 3050 m (10000 ft) AMSL and above 900 m (3000 ft) AMSL, or above 300 m (1000 ft) above terrain, whichever is the higher	A B C D E F G	5 km	1500 m horizontally 300 m (1000 ft) vertically
At and above 900 m (3000 ft) AMSL, or 300 m (1000 ft) above terrain, whichever is the higher	A B C D E	5 km	1500 m horizontally 300 m (1000 ft) vertically
	F G	At night 5 km	Clear of cloud and with the surface in sight
		At day 3 km

When the height of the translation altitude is lower than 3050 m (10000 ft) AMSL, FL 100 should be used in lieu of 10000 ft.