Takeoff Minimums in Class G Airspace

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Revolutionist

New Member
What are the visibility takeoff minimums in Class G Airspace? Specific FARs would be of assistance.

Also, who would you contact for SVFR when departing from a Class G surface airport?
 
Revolutionist said:
What are the visibility takeoff minimums in Class G Airspace?
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"Takeoff minimums" really only pertain to IFR flight. If you're part 91 IFR, the simple answer is that no minimums exist. For VFR flights, the minimum visibility to operate in a class-G airspace is 1SM during the day; 3SM at night.

Revolutionist said:
Also, who would you contact for SVFR when departing from a Class G surface airport?
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Nobody, since class-G airspace allows you to operate with 1SM visibility in the first place. If you will shortly be entering controlled airspace, simply contact the ATC facility having jurisdictional control over that airspace and make your request for SVFR prior to entering it. This can also be done with a FSS over the phone if you'll be blasting off into class-E.
 
Here's what 91.175 says:

(f) Civil airport takeoff minimums. Unless otherwise authorized by the Administrator, no pilot operating an aircraft under parts 121, 125, 129, or 135 of this chapter may take off from a civil airport under IFR unless weather conditions are at or above the weather minimum for IFR takeoff prescribed for that airport under part 97 of this chapter. If takeoff minimums are not prescribed under part 97 of this chapter for a particular airport, the following minimums apply to takeoffs under IFR for aircraft operating under those parts:

(1) For aircraft, other than helicopters, having two engines or less -- 1 statute mile visibility.

(2) For aircraft having more than two engines -- 1/2 statute mile visibility.

(3) For helicopters -- 1/2 statute mile visibility.

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Note: Most operators will have Ops Specs allowing them to takeoff with less than these minimums, as low at 300 RVR with a HUD, provided they file a suitable departure alternate. In the C-5, we can go with as little as 1000 RVR with a departure alternate, but of course we're operating under a completely separate set of rules.
 
...but your question was about Part 91 operations. Before you go blasting off in "zero-zero", keep in mind that obstacle clearance procedures are only published in a "Trouble T" if that airport has a published instrument approach. If there's no IAP, then there could very well be an obstacle right off the departure end of the runway with no climb gradients published or departure procedure, which means you're essentially "see and avoid". Read: VFR. Don't know if that's written anywhere outside military regs or if that's just common sense.
 
Holocene said:
Nobody, since class-G airspace allows you to operate with 1SM visibility in the first place. If you will shortly be entering controlled airspace, simply contact the ATC facility having jurisdictional control over that airspace and make your request for SVFR prior to entering it. This can also be done with a FSS over the phone if you'll be blasting off into class-E.
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You're right about "nobody" but I'm not sure about the rest of the explanation.

SVFR only exists "within the airspace contained by the upward extension of the lateral boundaries of the controlled airspace designated to the surface for an airport" 91.157(b). That means Class E surface areas (not Class E airspace generally), Class D airspace, and Classes C and B where it reaches the surface.

It's pretty much irrelevant to Class G, unless, say the Class G abuts a Class E surface area you are going to pass through on the way out.
 
germb747 said:
Yes, you'd probably have to coordinate a SVFR clearance through an FSS unless you're in radio contact with ATC, since you'd most likely be entering the Class E at 700' or 1200' AGL.
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Again, you can't get a SVFR clearance for Class E that starts at 700' or 1200' AGL.
 
MidlifeFlyer said:
Again, you can't get a SVFR clearance for Class E that starts at 700' or 1200' AGL.
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You're right; I've deleted that portion of that post. You know how many times I've used SVFR? Zero. It's not even allowed in the plane I fly.

So, really the only place this would apply if you were departing a surface-based Class E airport such as OSC. Otherwise, you'd be in contact with the control tower anyway and would just work out SVFR with them.
 
I agree w/ Midlife on the SVFR.

As far as the other part, keep in mind the FAA's catch-all of 91.13 (careless/reckless operation)/

After that, 91.119 and 91.155 fall into play. So is the airport in an urban or rural area? Where does E start? 700 or 1200 AGL? Are the clouds at 700? If the published TPA is 800 AGL, could you get zinged by 91.13? If the TPA is 800 AGL, E started at 700, then to stay below the required 500, the lowest ceiling would be 1300. If E starts at 1200, great! You can fly at TPA as long as you remain clear of clouds.
 
MidlifeFlyer said:
You're right about "nobody" but I'm not sure about the rest of the explanation.

SVFR only exists "within the airspace contained by the upward extension of the lateral boundaries of the controlled airspace designated to the surface for an airport" 91.157(b). That means Class E surface areas (not Class E airspace generally), Class D airspace, and Classes C and B where it reaches the surface.

It's pretty much irrelevant to Class G, unless, say the Class G abuts a Class E surface area you are going to pass through on the way out.
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Yes you are right. I assumed he might have been talking about leaving the G and entering controlled airspace in the form of class B, C, D, or E surface-areas.
 
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