Saudi eAIP ENR 1.2 — Visual Flight Rules

Saudi eAIP, AIRAC AMDT 05/26 — effective 14 MAY 2026. Verify against the current AIP at aimss.sans.com.sa before any operational use.

ENR 1.2 VISUAL FLIGHT RULES

1.2.1 GENERAL

1.2.1.1. The requirement for VFR flights operating in airspace designated for facilitating SAR and/or avoiding the need for interception to file a flight plan, to listen out and report position is extended to include all airspace.

1.2.1.2 Aircraft equipment

VFR flights are required to carry a functioning mode C SSR 4096 code transponder when operating in class C or class B airspace.

1.2.2 BASIC VFR WEATHER MINIMA

1.2.2.1. No person operating an aircraft may begin a flight under VFR unless current meteorological reports or a combination of current reports and forecasts indicate the flight can be operated in accordance with the minimums listed in this section.

1.2.2.2. Except as provided in paragraph 1.2.2.3 of this section, no person may operate an aircraft under VFR when the flight visibility is less, or at a distance from clouds that is less, than that prescribed for the corresponding altitude and class of airspace in below Table .

Altitude Band

Airspace

Class

Flight Visibility

Distance From

Clouds

All altitudes

A

Not Applicable (VFR

flight prohibited)

Not Applicable (VFR flight

prohibited)

At and above

10 000 ft (3050

m) MSL

B, C, D, E,

F, G

8 km

1 500 m horizontally

1000 ft

(300 m) vertically

Below 10 000 ft

(3050 m) MSL

and above;

3 000 ft (900 m)

MSL, or, 1 000 ft

(300 m)

AGL,which ever

is higher

B, C, D, E,

F, G

5 km

1 500 m horizontally

1000 ft

(300 m) vertically

At and below

3 000 ft

(900 m) MSL or

1 000 ft (300 m)

AGL, which ever

is the higher

B, C, D, E

5 km

1 500 m horizontally

1000 ft

(300 m) vertically

F, G

5 km

Clear of cloud

and with the

surface in sight

1.2.2.3. Class F and Class G Airspace. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 1.2.2.2 of this section, the following operations may be conducted in Class F or Class G airspace below 1 000 ft (300 m) AGL:

Helicopter. A helicopter may be operated clear of clouds in an aerodrome traffic pattern within 800 m of the runway or helipad of intended landing if the flight visibility is not less than 800 m.

Airplane, powered-parachute, or weight-shift-control aircraft. Flight visibilities may be reduced to not less than 1 500 m for flights operating:

At speeds that, in the prevailing visibility, will give adequate opportunity to observe other traffic or any obstacles in time to avoid collision; or

In circumstances in which the probability of encounters with other traffic would normally be low, (e.g. in areas of low volume traffic and for aerial work at low levels).

1.2.2.4. Except as provided in GACAR § 91.167, no person may operate an aircraft beneath the ceiling under VFR within the lateral boundaries of controlled airspace designated to the surface for an aerodrome when the ceiling is less than 1 500 ft (450 m).

1.2.2.5. Except as provided in GACAR § 91.167, no person may take-off or land an aircraft, or enter the traffic pattern of an aerodrome, under VFR, within the lateral boundaries of the surface areas of Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class E airspace designated for an aerodrome:

Unless ground visibility at that aerodrome is at least 5 km or

If ground visibility is not reported at that aerodrome, unless flight visibility during landing or takeoff, or while operating in the traffic pattern is at least 5 km.

1.2.2.6. For the purpose of this section, an aircraft operating at the base altitude of a Class E airspace area is considered to be within the airspace directly below that area.

1.2.3 MAXIMUM LEVEL FOR VFR

The highest altitude at which a VFR flight may operate within JEDDAH FIR is 12 500 FT (see ENR 1.7 for transition procedure).

1.2.4 NIGHT VFR

1.2.4.1. Except when otherwise authorized by the appropriate authority, the prescribed period during which VFR operations are not permitted is between sunset and sunrise, as observed at the surface.

1.2.4.2 Authorization for night VFR flights

1.2.4.2.1. The prohibition of VFR at night is replaced by a requirement for night VFR operations to be conducted in accordance with conditions prescribed by the appropriate ATS authority.

1.2.4.2.2. VFR training exercises at night may be authorized by ATC at those aerodromes where aerodrome control service is provided, under the following conditions:

The pilot in command holds a valid instrument flight rating and the aircraft is certified for Night/IFR flights;

The aerodrome control tower is operating, a VFR flight plan for the exercise has been filed and received by the ATC unit;

VMC conditions prevail and the official reported ceiling is at least 1000 feet above the immediate approach (procedure turn) altitude for the runway(s) to be used;

Reported visibility is 8 km or more;

Operations will normally be conducted within the control zone/ aerodrome traffic zone (except for certain portions of a local practice instrument approach, for example);

The aircraft will remain in direct communication with the control tower;

The aircraft will remain clear of clouds and within sight of the ground or water at all times;

Clearance has been received from the ATC unit concerned; and

The flight will originate and terminate at the same aerodrome.

Note

: Receipt of an appropriately filed VFR flight plan is the method by which the pilot/operator informs ATC that the requirements in a, e, g and i are/will be met.