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Originally Posted by SIUav8er  Ive had issues with "special VFR" myself. Kind of.
I was on the ILS one time, under IFR. The airspace was D. The wx was reported 1000 broken and 2 miles visibilty. I was cleard for the cirlce to land on the opposite runway. As I began to circle, the tower controler said there was VFR traffic on the upwind remaining in the pattern. I couldnt believe it! I thought Special VFR was only allowed if there was no IFR traffic in the airspace. It was clearly below class D VFR... what gives? |
Very good question here!
In most cases a letter of agreement with the approach control facility will authorize the class D tower to permit SVFR. This simple letter allows it to happen (per the 7110.65 ATC Manual). All letters include different information pertaining to airspace capacity, traffic flow, amount, workload, etc....
Why was there a vfr(?) aircraft in the pattern?
As your ILS approach came closer to the airport the local controller established visual contact with your aircraft. At that point, I'm assuming, the controller meant "SVFR a/c upwind in the pattern," and was applying visual separation between you (arriving) and the aircraft in the pattern (granted he could assure keeping both of you in sight the entire time until you landed).
Or they could have just taken a special weather report and went vfr all of the sudden.
If their letter of agreement had stated "no svfr in the airspace when there was an IFR in the airspace, unless visual separation is applied." (which many do) then it
might be best judgment to land you (IFR) first prior to launching any svfr into the airspace......
In the case you needed to go missed, the controller would have had to get that svfr pattern guy on the ground before you left his sight on your ma.