Expert: D. Norkus - 12/17/2006

Question
Im really confused about what the acronyms ILS and VFR mean. I was wondering if you could help me out. Thanks.

Answer
The acronym "VFR" stands for Visual Flight Rules, which are the 'rules of the road' (Federal Aviation Regulations) for pilots when the flying weather is good. Basically, the weather is "VFR" when the visibility is better than 3 miles and clouds can be avoided by 1,00ft over the top, 2,000 ft horizontally and 500 ft below (depending on the type of airspace, this varies slightly). See this chart for specifics-
http://www.faa.gov/ATpubs/AIM/Chap3/aim0301.html#tbB190ROBE


Read all about "VFR" here- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_flight_rules

An ILS is an Instrument Landing System. This is what pilots use for horizontal and vertical guidance to a runway in poor weather conditions or "IMC/Instrument Meterological Conditions". Flying in IMC, pilots are regulated by "IFR/Instrument Flight Rules". Also, pilots must be appropriately rated and their aircraft equipped to fly in IFR weather. Read more about IFR here- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instrument_flight_rules

And all about how an ILS system works here-
http://www.planesimulation.com/ils.htm

Hope this helps
Dottie