VFR Operations

New York ARTCC

VFR Operations

Rev. 5 — Revised: 2026-03-27

Purpose

The purpose of this document is to provide controllers with a basic understanding of VFR operations at the New York ARTCC. The generalized guidance herein is to be used as for Clearance Delivery, Ground, and Tower controllers across all Class D, C, and B facilities within ZNY. For more specific instructions on how to handle VFR operations at a particular airport, consult the applicable airport's SOP.

Introduction

As you have learned in your training, pilots flying VFR are for the most part free to dictate their route of flight and altitude. This gives the appearance that VFR flight is a "free for all" wherein ATC have no control over VFR operations. This is not true since, when being controlled by ATC, controllers have as much control over VFR pilots as they do IFR pilots in order to maintain separation and safety.

In order to do this, it is important that controllers know and understand what a pilot's general intentions are as this will dictate how the flight is handled by ATC. On VATSIM, this information can often be gathered by looking at a VFR pilot's flight plan, if one was filed; however, since no flight plan is required, you will often need to determine the pilot's intentions. This can easily be done by just having a simple conversation with the pilot.

General Notes

Please keep the following notes in mind when handling VFR operations at ZNY:

Airspace Classification

Remember that as Clearance Delivery, Ground, and Tower handling VFR operations, you will only be concerning yourself with operations that occur in Class D, C, or B airspace.

It is also important that you are clear on the entry requirements for operation within each class of airspace as well as the required flight visibility and clearance from clouds that a pilot must maintain

Class Airspace	Entry Requirements	Required Visibility	Required Distance from Clouds
D	Two-way communication with operating Control Tower	3 SM	500' below, 1,000' above 2,000' horizontal
C	Two-way communication with controlling authority Operating mode C transponder	3 SM	500' below, 1,000' above 2,000' horizontal
B	ATC Clearance Operating mode C transponder	3 SM	Remain Clear of Clouds (pilot cannot enter into a cloud)

Weather Simulation

Sometimes, pilots will desire to fly VFR in IMC conditions. This may be due to the pilot having different weather in their simulator than the weather displayed on your screen. To the maximum extent practical, do not deny a pilot's desire to fly VFR in IMC conditions on VATSIM. Advise the pilot that the airport is IMC and suggest that the pilot file an IFR flight plan or proceed under SVFR. Should the pilot still desire to fly VFR in IMC, provide appropriate service.

Coordination

Since pilots are more free to determine how their flight will proceed when operating VFR, it is imperative that you coordinate with the controllers at your airport, the controllers at neighboring airports, and with TRACON controllers about VFR operations that will be taking place.

Class D VFR Operations

While operating in Class D airspace, the services below are provided.

Aircraft / Aircraft	Separation and/or Sequencing Service
IFR-IFR	3 nm, 1,000' vertical, or visual separation
VFR-IFR	Sequencing, traffic advisories and safety alerts only
VFR-VFR	Sequencing, traffic advisories and safety alerts only

Class D Clearance Delivery

NOTE: It is not a requirement for VFR departures to contact clearance delivery before they begin their flight. If they do, you can follow these procedures. If they don't, that is fine too!

Pattern Work

Since no clearance or squawk code is required, aircraft requesting pattern work will be advised of the applicable ATIS information and advised to contact Ground for taxi.

Example:
Morristown Clearance Delivery, Cessna 4757T is at the West Tie Down and would like closed traffic.
Cessna 4757T, Morristown Clearance Delivery. Information Charlie is current, contact Ground on 134.2 for taxi.

Departing Class D Airspace

• If the pilot does not request Flight Following or entry into neighboring Class C/B Airspace, then no clearance or squawk code is required to simply exit Class D airspace. Aircraft will be advised of the applicable ATIS information and advised to contact Ground for taxi.

Example:
Morristown Clearance Delivery, Cessna 3054E is at the West Tie Down with November for VFR to the West.
Cessna 3054E, Morristown Clearance Delivery. Information Charlie is current, contact Ground on 134.2 for taxi. G'day.

• If the pilot requests Flight Following or entry into neighboring Class C/B Airspace, you should advise the pilot of the current ATIS, departure frequency, and to make his request with the departure controller.
• Follow facility SOP when it comes to coordinating VFR departures. If not mentioned, the pilot should be instructed to request flight following from the departure controller above.
• You should not issue a clearance into or through any Class of airspace. This will be left to the pilot to request and/or to the TRACON controller to approve or deny.

Example 1:
Wilmington Clearance Delivery, Piper 9020S is at the East Ramp with Delta. We'd like advisories to Harrisburg, PA at 6,500'.
Piper 9020S, Wilmington Clearance Delivery. Departure frequency 118.35, squawk 0601.
OK, departure on 118.35 and squawk 0601, Piper 20S.
Piper 20S, readback correct. Contact Ground on 121.7 for taxi. Take care.

Example 2:
Republic Clearance Delivery, Cirrus 222NK is at Sheltair request departure to the West to Kennedy.
Cirrus 22NK, Republic Clearance Delivery. Information November is current. Departure frequency 123.7, squawk 0302.
0302, and what about entry into the Bravo to Kennedy? Cirrus 2NK.
Cirrus 2NK, that's on request with the TRACON, he'll advise you further after you depart.
Roger. Thanks, Cirrus 2NK.
Cirrus 22NK, readback correct. Contact Ground on 121.6 for taxi.

Class D Tower

General Operations

Tower will not track any departing aircraft or aircraft in the pattern unless specified by a local SOP.

Pattern Work

Issue appropriate takeoff and pattern instructions in accordance with local procedures and standard regulations.

Example:
Morristown Tower, Skylane 4757T short of 5 ready for departure.
Skylane 4757T, Morristown Tower. Make left closed traffic, wind 030 at 6, Runway 5, cleared for takeoff.
Cleared for takeoff, Skylane 57T.

Departing Class D Airspace

If the pilot does not request Flight Following or entry into neighboring Class C/B Airspace, issue appropriate takeoff and instructions for departing Class D airspace in accordance with local procedures and standard regulations.

Example 1:
Morristown Tower, Cessna 0TH ready at Runway 23 for departure to the North.
Cessna 0TH, Morristown Tower. Right turnout to the North approved, wind calm, Runway 23, cleared for takeoff.
Cleared for takeoff, 0TH.

Example 2:
Trenton Tower, Cessna 3054E holding short of 24, would like VFR departure to the West.
Cessna 54E, Trenton Tower. West departure approved, wind 220 at 10, Runway 24, cleared for takeoff.
Cleared for takeoff to the West, Cessna 54E.

If the pilot requests Flight Following or entry into neighboring Class C/B Airspace, prior to issuing any takeoff clearance, coordinate with Departure to determine if any specific heading or after takeoff instructions need to be given (e.g. runway heading, heading ###, departure to the N, E, S, right/left downwind departure, etc.). This coordination should be much like a release request.

Example:
Departure, Caldwell Tower.
Go ahead.
Request a release for Cessna 87G. He's VFR to the North eventually headed to OXC.
OK. Release approved heading 270.
270 for Cessna 87G, you got it, TT.
MK.

Then issue appropriate takeoff instructions according to requests from TRACON, local procedures, and standard regulations. Once the aircraft is observed to be following the initial departure instructions, instruct the aircraft to contact the appropriate departure controller.

Example: Caldwell Tower, Cessna 87G is at Runway 4 ready for departure.
Cessna 87G, Caldwell Tower. Fly heading 270, wind 090 at 5, Runway 4, cleared for takeoff.
270, copy the winds, cleared for takeoff, Cessna 87G.
...once intial departure instructions are being followed...
Cessna 87G, contact Departure on 126.7. Have a nice flight.
Departure 26.7, take care, 87G.

Class C VFR Operations

While operating in Class C airspace, the services below are provided.

Aircraft / Aircraft	Separation and/or Sequencing Service
IFR-IFR	3 nm, 1000' vertical, or visual separation
VFR-IFR	"target resolution" (targets on radar are not allowed to overlap) 500' vertical, or visual separation
VFR-VFR	Sequencing, traffic advisories and safety alerts only

Class C Clearance Delivery

Pattern Work

Since a discrete squawk code is NOT required for all operations in Class C (though it may be at your airport), advise the pilot of the applicable ATIS information (if they do not indicate possession), assign a valid VFR squawk code (if necessary), and advise them to contact Ground for taxi.

Example 1:
Allentown Clearance Delivery, Cessna 4757T is at Hangar 9 and would like pattern work.
Cessna 4757T, Allentown Clearance Delivery, information Hotel is current, squawk 0602, contact Ground on 121.9 for taxi.
0602, we'll get Hotel and Ground point niner, Cessna 57T.

Example 2:
Islip Clearance Delivery, Piper 9020S is at Sheltair with Delta request closed traffic.
Piper 9020S, Long Island Clearance Delivery, squawk 0105, contact Ground on 135.9 for taxi. Have a good flight.
Squawk 0105 and over to Ground. G'day.

Departing Class C Airspace

Specific departure instructions, as well as the applicable phraseology, is located in the Class C airport SOP. Please reference the Clearance Delivery section in the SOP for more details.

Class C Tower

Pattern Work

Issue appropriate takeoff and pattern instructions in accordance with local procedures and standard regulations. Aircraft in the pattern at a Class C facility should not be tracked unless operationally necessary.

Example:
Allentown Tower, Arrow 90S short of Runway 24 to remain in the pattern.
Arrow 90S, Allentown Tower. Make left closed traffic, wind calm, Runway 24, cleared for takeoff.
Cleared for takeoff, left traffic, Arrow 90S.

Other Departure Operations

Specific operations for VFR departures are located in the Class C airport's SOP. This includes information about radar identification and releases. Consult the Tower portion of the SOP for more information.

Class B VFR Operations

While operating in Class B airspace, the services below are provided.

Aircraft / Aircraft	Separation and/or Sequencing Service	Notes
IFR-IFR	3 nm, 1,000' vertical, or visual separation
VFR-IFR/VFR	1.5 nm, 500' vertical, or visual separation	IF either aircraft is > 19,000 lbs or a jet
VFR-IFR/VFR	"target resolution" (targets on radar cannot overlap) 500' vertical, or visual separation	IF both aircraft are < 19,000 lbs and neither is a jet

Class B Clearance Delivery

Pattern Work

Since ATC Clearance and a discrete squawk code is required for all operations in Class B airspace in ZNY, provide an appropriate Class B clearance, advise the pilot of the applicable ATIS information (if they do not indicate possession), assign a valid VFR squawk code, and advise to contact Ground for taxi.

Example 1:
LaGuardia Clearance Delivery, Cessna 98795 is at the GA Ramp for pattern work with Alpha.
Cessna 98795, LaGuardia Clearance Delivery, cleared to enter Bravo Airspace, squawk 0202, contact Ground on 121.7 for taxi.
Cleared into the Bravo, Ground point 7. Thanks.

Example 2:
Philadelphia Clearance Delivery, Piper 9020S is at Atlantic request closed traffic.
Piper 9020S, Philadelphia Clearance Delivery, cleared to enter Bravo Airspace, squawk 0605, information Lima is current, contact Ground on 121.65 for taxi. Have a good flight.
Squawk 0605, we'll get Lima and over to Ground. G'day.

Departing Class B Airspace

Specific departure instructions, as well as the applicable phraseology, is located in the Class B airport SOP. Please reference the Clearance Delivery section in the SOP for more details.

Class B Tower

Pattern Work

Issue appropriate takeoff and pattern entry instructions in accordance with local procedures.

Example:
Newark Tower, Arrow 90S short of 22R at Whiskey to remain in the pattern.
Arrow 90S, Newark Tower. Make left closed traffic, wind calm, Runway 22R at Whiskey, cleared for takeoff.
Cleared for takeoff, left traffic, Arrow 90S.

Other Departure Operations

Specific operations for VFR departures are located in the Class B airport's SOP. This includes information about radar identification and releases. Consult the Tower portion of the SOP for more information.