1   SERA.5001 TABLE OF VMC VISIBILITY AND DISTANCE FROM CLOUD MINIMA

1. Classes A, B, E and F are not used in Vilnius FIR.
2. If were approved by Transport Competency Agency (TKA):

1. flight visibilities reduced to not less than 1 500 M may be permitted for flights operating:
   i) at speeds of 140 KT IAS or less to give adequate opportunity to observe other traffic or any obstacles in time to avoid collision; or
   ii) 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;
2. Helicopters may be permitted to operate in less than 1 500 M but not less than 800 M flight visibility, if manoeuvred at a speed that will give adequate opportunity to observe other traffic or any obstacles in time to avoid collision. (The Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1185 of 20 July 2016 amending the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 923/2012);
3. In that cases, such as Lithuanian Air Forces helicopters (LAF), performed medical, fire-fighting, search and rescue (SAR) operations and training flights the following minima of meteorological conditions are:
   i) the ceiling - 90 M (300 FT);
   ii) the visibility - 800 M.

2   SERA.5005 VISUAL FLIGHTS RULES (VFR)

Except when operating as a special VFR flight, VFR flights shall be conducted so that the aircraft is flown in conditions of visibility and distance from clouds equal to or greater than those specified in the table 1.

Except when a special VFR clearance is obtained from an air traffic control unit, VFR flights shall not take off or land at an aerodrome within a control zone, or enter the control zone when the reported meteorological conditions at that aerodrome are below the following minima:

1. the ceiling is less than 450 M (1 500 FT); or
2. the ground visibility is less than 5 KM.

VFR flights at night may be permitted under the following conditions:

1. If leaving the vicinity of an aerodrome, a flight plan shall be submitted in accordance with ENR 1.10, section 1;
2. flights shall establish and maintain two-way radio communication on the appropriate ATS communication channel, when available;
3. the VMC visibility and distance from cloud minima as specified in the section 1 shall apply except that:

1. the ceiling shall not be less than 450 M (1 500 FT) or
   - shall not be less than 180  (600 FT) for LAF helicopters, performed medical, fire-fighting, search and rescue (SAR) operations and training flights;
2. the reduced flight visibility provisions specified in the section 1 a) and b) shall not apply;
3. at and below 3 000 FT above MSL the pilot shall maintain continuous sight of the surface;

4. except when necessary for take-off or landing VFR flight at night shall be flown at a level which is not below the minimum flight altitude at a level which is at least 1 000 FT above the highest obstacle located within 8 KM of the estimated position of the aircraft.

VFR flights shall not be operated:

1. at transonic and supersonic speeds unless authorised by the TKA;
2. above FL 195. Exceptions to this requirement are the following:

1. an established reserved airspace, in which VFR flights may be allowed; or
2. the airspace up to and including FL 285, if VFR flights in that airspace were authorized by the Vilnius ACC in accordance with the TKA authorisation procedures.

Authorisation for VFR flights to operate above FL 285 shall not be granted where a vertical separation minimum of 1 000 FT is applied above FL 290.

Except when necessary for take-off or landing, or except by permission from the TKA, a VFR flight shall not be flown:

1. over the congested areas of cities, towns or settlements or over an open-air assembly of persons at a height less than 1 000 FT above the highest obstacle within a radius of 600 M from the aircraft;
2. elsewhere than as specified in 2.6, 1), at a height less than 500 FT above the ground or water, or 500 FT above the highest obstacle within a radius of 150 M from the aircraft. In cases, such as LAF helicopters, performed medical, fire-fighting, search and rescue (SAR) operations and training flights at the minimum flight height less than 300 FT above the ground or water;

Except where otherwise indicated in air traffic control clearances or specified by the TKA, VFR flights in level cruising flight when operated above 3 000 FT from the ground or water, shall be conducted at a cruising level appropriate to the track as specified in the table of cruising levels in ENR 1.7, section 1.7.5.

VFR flights shall comply with the provisions of Section 8 of Regulation (EU) No. 923/2012:

1. when operated within Classes C and D airspace;
2. when forming part of aerodrome traffic at controlled aerodromes; or
3. when operated as special VFR flights.

A VFR flight operating within or into prohibited, restricted zones and border area shall maintain continuous air-ground voice communication watch on the appropriate communication channel and report its position as necessary to, the air traffic services unit providing flight information service.

An aircraft operated in accordance with the visual flight rules which wishes to change to compliance with the instrument flight rules shall:

1. If a flight plan was submitted, communicate the necessary changes to be effected to its current flight plan; or
2. submit a flight plan to the appropriate air traffic services unit as soon as practicable and obtain a clearance prior to proceeding IFR when in controlled airspace.

3   SERA.5010 SPECIAL VFR FLIGHTS IN CONTROL ZONES

Special VFR flights are authorised to operate within a control zone subject to an ATC clearance. Except when permitted by the TKA for helicopters in special cases such as, but not limited to police, medical, search and rescue operations and fire-fighting flights, the following additional conditions shall be applied:

Such special VFR flights may be conducted during day only, unless otherwise permitted by the TKA;

By the pilot:

1. Clear of cloud and with the surface in sight;
2. The flight visibility is not less than 1 500 M or, for helicopters, not less than 800 M;
3. Fly at a speed of 140 KT IAS or less to give adequate opportunity to observe other traffic and any obstacles in time to avoid a collision; and

An ATC unit shall not issue a special VFR clearance to aircraft for take-off or land at an aerodrome within a control zone, or enter the aerodrome control zone or aerodrome traffic circuit when the reported meteorological conditions at that aerodrome are below the following minima:

1. The ground visibility is less than 1 500 M or, for helicopters, less than 800 M;
2. The ceiling is less than 180 M (600 FT).

4   MISCELLANEOUS

Applications for flights may be submitted by fax:

not later than 3 (three) hours prior to the intended take-off time.

Procedure for submission of application and issuance of permit for a civil aircraft flight in the border area is described in AIS section of website: www.ans.lt.

All procedures described at 4.1 are not applicable for flights within the limits of ATZ.

The Air Traffic Service Provider shall inform the applicant on the decision on establishment of reserved airspace at least 4 working days before the planned activity.

The decision on establishment of reserved airspace shall be made taking into consideration the airspace users’ common needs and conformity with the flight safety requirements (Resolution No. 285 of 17 March 2004 of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania).