I’m preparing for a world tour with the Asobo DA40NG or cessna and I’m testing my flight plan. There are some stuffs I don’t understand about VFR and IFR. From what I understand, VFR flight are low level (mostly under clouds and under 7,500ft (from what I found for Canada - maybe it’s wrong) and IFR you usually have a flight plan and use autopilot and instruments from A to B.
However, what I’m trying to achieve, in a realistic way, is that I want to plan my flight in a VFR way, like deciding point of interests I want to see and arrive to destination airport, but for long distance I usually use autopilot to follow the GPS line and I also want to fly above the clouds. Does it mean that my VFR is transforming into IFR flight?
Also this map from STKP is a bit overwhelming with all those airspace.
To pit it very simply, ignoring some fine details (and there are some national variations);
VFR = Visual Flight Rules. You must remain clear of cloud and within sight of the surface. You are responsible for your own aircraft separation/navigation and must remain clear of Controlled Airspace unless you are in communication with and have permission from the operating authority. Note, not all controlled airspace permits VFR flight - you need to check that out, it’s too involved to describe here. Filing flightplans may not be required but is often very useful - there are countries where it is mandatory though.
IFR = Instrument Flight Rules. You must hold the correct Instrument Pilots Licence, file an IFR flight plan and be in communication with the correct controllers at all times. You must also follow their instructions otherwise you are likely to have your IFR flight plan cancelled and will be required to vacate controlled airspace. An IFR f/plan will often follow recognised airways although you may be allowed to file your own route. Most importantly you will be provided with aircraft separation.
Just as an aside, weather condition have two states;
VMC = Visual Meteorological Conditions, i.e. you can see outside
IMC = Instrument Meteorological Conditions i.e. you cannot see outside!
Whether you fly on instruments, autopilot or using the assist features in the sim is immaterial.
Finally it is quite possible to change VFR to IFR to VFR in the sim, as it is IRL but you’ll not be anyones favourite if you do!
Real life pilots spend very many hours learning all the intricacies - what I’ve outlined keeps you in-line with what they are supposed to know and hopefully will give you an insight into your own travels.
I’ve just completed a 254 hour, 128 airports flight around the world in the Turbo Bonanza. Good luck with yours!
EDIT. That chart does make it look complicated and is not ideal for what you need. Navigraph Charts are much easier to follow but for best results you need to take out a subscription. You’d also get Simbrief, an excellent flight planning tool which integrates with an increasing number of in-sim aircraft. I use a freeware addon, Little Navmap, for most of my navigation and once you’ve got used to it is a very easy way of planning your flights.
As @Terrylawdinn pointed out, there are a lot of complexities whether you’re IFR or VFR. For example, in the U.S. you can fly up to 17,500’ MSL as VFR, depending on Weather, airspace/comm requirements, etc. Visibility requirements range from 1 SM to 5 SM, and cloud distance varies from “clear of clouds” to 1000’ above or below clouds and 1 SM distance from clouds and several variations in between for VFR.
You can also (IRL) request an IFR departure (if you’re rated), then go VFR as conditions change, then request an IFR approach (if you’re rated).
So don’t get “too realistic” or you’ll drive yourself crazy! And that’s just in the U.S. !!
Consider making your flight IFR when you need it for weather or airspace, and just do VFR for the rest, and don’t worry too much about whether it’s legally “Real” or not!
Regards
In some countries (including Canada), there is such a thing as “VFR Over-the-Top” which means you can legally fly above the clouds without filing an IFR flight plan or even being an IFR rated pilot. You can also use a GPS and autopilot to navigate while flying VFR, although the GPS shouldn’t be your only method of navigation and you should be ready to take manual control of the aircraft at any moment.
In real-life flying, I have often used VORs to fly point-to-point even though I’m not IFR rated and I’m flying under VFR. Of course, I still have a nav chart on my lap, I’m always confirming my position by referencing landmarks on the ground, and I never fly into IMC.
In short, it’s entirely realistic to do what you want (visit landmarks and sometimes fly above clouds) all while flying under VFR.
