Definition of Vicinity

[Bernoulli]

Part 91.103 states that if you are acting as PIC you must obtain weather reports and forecasts if you are flying VFR and not in the Vicinity of an airport. So... What does vicinity mean? Does Vicinity mean in the traffic pattern or does vicinity mean up to a particular distance from the departing airport, or an airport, such as within 25 miles of an airport or the departing airport? If you know Please respond and please list your sources. Thanks so much in advance.

 

[Mmmmmm Burritos]

Dunno, but for weather stuff "vicinity" (or VC in a METAR) means 5-10 miles from the airport and Distant (DSNT) means more than 10 miles. So I assume it applies for that reg too.

 

[minitour]

Call me stupid...but I gotta think its one of those "FAA Friendly" rules...they don't really define it but something tells me if you got caught in some IMC anywhere (not in the pattern) they could slap you with that one...

...But I also think Elvis and Kennedy are havin some drinks with the aliens in Area ...

 

[mar]

Go see the Doc

As far as I'm concerned there is only one place to go for these types of questions:

Doc's FAR Bulletin Board on ProPilot.com

Click on the menu in the lower left hand corner to find the link to Doc's board.

I did a search on the Vicinity question and came up with two discussions.

This one is more than four years old.

And this one is a little more recent.

Best wishes.

 

[Bernoulli]

As far as I'm concerned there is only one place to go for these types of questions:

Doc's FAR Bulletin Board on ProPilot.com

Click on the menu in the lower left hand corner to find the link to Doc's board.

I did a search on the Vicinity question and came up with two discussions.

This one is more than four years old.

And this one is a little more recent.

Best wishes.

Thank You MAR... this is a real help.

 

[ThomasR]

Vicinity

It seems to me that if you are flying VFR and along a route that is beyond you reaching an approved landing area you are required to know the Wx for that particular area before entering into that leg of the flight. No source just me. [Don't get caught in a storm without an umbrella, especially in South America or Canada, Alaska, Mt. States] I think that is why it is mandatory to give a pi-rep when requested since Wx can develop rapidly in remote areas. Don't fly helicopters offhore in the Gulf though, if you think pilots there obey the regs.