ANNEX 2, RULES OF THE AIR (9th Edition amendment 36) — Chapter 4: Visual Flight Rules
VFR flight shall not be operated:
- Between sunset and sunrise.
- Above FLIGHT LEVEL 150.
- At transonic and supersonic speeds.
Except when necessary for taking-off or landing, a VFR flight shall not be flown:
- Over the congested areas of cities, towns or settlements or over an open-air assembly of persons, at a height less than 300m (1000ft) above the highest obstacle within a radius of 600m from the aircraft.
- Elsewhere, at a height less than 150m (500ft) above the ground or water.
VFR Minima within Damascus FIR
| Airspace Class | Flight Visibility | Distance from Cloud | Ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class B (CTR) | 8 km | 1500 m horizontal, 300 m (1000 ft) vertical | N/A — ATC clearance required |
| Class D (TMA/CTR) | 5 km | 1500 m horizontal, 300 m (1000 ft) vertical | N/A — ATC clearance required |
| Class G (uncontrolled) | 5 km (at or above 3050 m / 10,000 ft AMSL) | 1500 m horizontal, 300 m vertical | N/A |
| Class G below 3050 m | 5 km | Clear of cloud, surface in sight | N/A |
VFR Flight Requirements
| Requirement | Detail | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Flight Plan | Required for VFR flights crossing FIR boundaries or entering controlled airspace | ICAO Annex 2, 3.3 |
| Speed Limit | 250 KIAS below FL100 | ICAO Annex 2, 3.1.2 |
| Minimum Height | 500 ft above surface (non-congested); 1000 ft above highest obstacle within 600 m (congested) | ICAO Annex 2, 4.6 |
| Cruising Level | Semi-circular rule: odd thousands + 500 ft (000°-179°M), even thousands + 500 ft (180°-359°M) | ICAO Annex 2, App 3 |
| Night VFR | Not permitted within Damascus FIR | Syrian AIP GEN 1.6 |
| Transponder | Mode A/C or Mode S required in all controlled airspace | ENR 1.6 |