Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
Flying VFR on hazy days can be dangerous, particularly if the pilot loses sight of the horizon and ground. And even more so if flying in haze at night.
If a VFR pilot encounters haze, the conventional advice is to climb to get on top of the haze, for improved visibility and for avoiding other aircraft, and increasing diversion options to other airports. This is prudent advice, if the haze layer is relatively thin. However, if the haze layer is thick, climbing may be a bad decision.
If climbing higher into the haze leads to the VFR pilot no longer being able to see the ground or horizon, or being unable to maintain the required VFR minimums for visibility and cloud separation required by the specific airspace they’re flying in, then the pilot should consider descending and returning to either their departure airport or a nearby airport.
However, descending can lead to an increase in haze, and reduced visibility at the lower altitudes, at least until the ground can be seen.
Consequently, it is important that the VFR pilot maintain situational awareness of the terrain below and around him or her, and particularly so if descending in mountainous areas. Remember the AIRMET - Mountain Obscuration and CFIT (Controlled Flight into Terrain)
So, before a VFR pilot goes out on a flight with known haze conditions, they should obtain a full weather briefing from flight service to understand how much haze they may encounter, and if there are any PIREPs associated with the haze, such as the reported tops.
Moreover, if the VFR pilot does decide to fly on the hazy day, they should be prepared to turn back to their departure airport if VFR minimums cannot be maintained as they climb in altitude.
In addition, they should spend more time looking at their instruments on the climb out, and in particular their attitude indicator and airspeed indicator.
In the event the VFR pilot does lose sight of the ground and horizon due to the haze, effectively getting themselves into IMC, then their eyes should go directly to their instruments, and maintain control of the airplane by avoiding any steep bank turns or aggressive maneuvers. They should then contact Guard on 121.5 and declare an emergency by squawking 7700, again while at all times maintaining control of the aircraft with limited turns or steep pitch changes. The pilot should confess to ATC their situation, and comply to their instructions to get themselves safely back on the ground.
#aviation #flying
Flying VFR on hazy days can be dangerous, particularly if the pilot loses sight of the horizon and ground. And even more so if flying in haze at night.
If a VFR pilot encounters haze, the conventional advice is to climb to get on top of the haze, for improved visibility and for avoiding other aircraft, and increasing diversion options to other airports. This is prudent advice, if the haze layer is relatively thin. However, if the haze layer is thick, climbing may be a bad decision.
If climbing higher into the haze leads to the VFR pilot no longer being able to see the ground or horizon, or being unable to maintain the required VFR minimums for visibility and cloud separation required by the specific airspace they’re flying in, then the pilot should consider descending and returning to either their departure airport or a nearby airport.
However, descending can lead to an increase in haze, and reduced visibility at the lower altitudes, at least until the ground can be seen.
Consequently, it is important that the VFR pilot maintain situational awareness of the terrain below and around him or her, and particularly so if descending in mountainous areas. Remember the AIRMET - Mountain Obscuration and CFIT (Controlled Flight into Terrain)
So, before a VFR pilot goes out on a flight with known haze conditions, they should obtain a full weather briefing from flight service to understand how much haze they may encounter, and if there are any PIREPs associated with the haze, such as the reported tops.
Moreover, if the VFR pilot does decide to fly on the hazy day, they should be prepared to turn back to their departure airport if VFR minimums cannot be maintained as they climb in altitude.
In addition, they should spend more time looking at their instruments on the climb out, and in particular their attitude indicator and airspeed indicator.
In the event the VFR pilot does lose sight of the ground and horizon due to the haze, effectively getting themselves into IMC, then their eyes should go directly to their instruments, and maintain control of the airplane by avoiding any steep bank turns or aggressive maneuvers. They should then contact Guard on 121.5 and declare an emergency by squawking 7700, again while at all times maintaining control of the aircraft with limited turns or steep pitch changes. The pilot should confess to ATC their situation, and comply to their instructions to get themselves safely back on the ground.
#aviation #flying
