Special VFR question

[Hawkeye4077]

Hello all Just wondering what you would do in this situation.

Scenario: You are on a VFR flight plan. Your destination is a controlled zone controlled remotely ie. Moosonee with Timmins Radio. 10 miles out you call ATC/FSS. The controller tells you that the weather in below VFR minimums. You have the airport in sight, conditions are very VFR and you can see a isolated rain shower that was over the field about 5 minutes ago. You ask for a special VFR and it is declined due to a couple IFR traffic inbound. Also you see a lot of crappy weather coming in and you think if you wait til the ifr are in before getting your special VFR you will get in trouble. You are instrument rated but you are not allowed to fly ifr due to company operation manual.

What would you do?

[gabo]

I'd go look for moose for 5 or 10 min till either the wx cleared or the ifr traffic landed. More time in the the logbook

[Bushav8er]

Did you tell Radio that you could see the field (from 10 back)? The AWOS updates every minute, did you check again for the next report? It likely would have had the VFR if the rain had moved on.

[Hawkeye4077]

I waited around for a couple minutes and after the traffic landed special vfr was granted. But the scenario above is different from what actually happened. I was wondering what would one do with these circumstance.

[Bushav8er]

AWOS is not always the best, and as mentioned reports every minute. I'd just tell FSS the vis I really have if it's different from that reported.

[Louis]

I would explain a localized phenomena is occurring, and see if that would get me SVFR.

Otherwise, with your scenario of incoming weather, I would consider diverting or asking the inbound IFRs to briefly be put in a hold. Depending on circumstances, it may warrant declaring an emergency. (Company OM is one reason not to fly IFR, but how about: insufficient avionics and instruments, no approach plates, etc...)

[snoopy]

If it were me, I would mention to FSS that flight visibility was much better than the awos, and give them my numbers (cig/vis), and wait to see what they did with the information. I might even mention the reason for my concern... If you were on floats, or a helicopter, you could find a spot to land... if not... you have a few choices... wait, divert or declare an emergency - depending on the severity of the weather, proximity of the IFR, location of nearest alternate, and state of your fuel.

Cheers,
Kirsten B.

[Benwa]

Louis, SVFR will not be granted if there is IFR traffic in the Control Zone.

I would explain the localized phenomena and if the FSS is not happy with that... well you will have more than plenty to talk to his supervisor once you finally make it on the ground.

AWOS are very bad with localized stuff.

[Bushav8er]

I was going to add that if I, as an IFR, heard something like this I would contact the flight and see how he stands and if need be, I'd accept a hold to allow the VFR in.

[x-wind]

Give the pilot report, spvfr is for when the weather requires it. If the weather is good, let'm know its good and that svfr is not required. IE- pilot report , position, filed vfr, downwind xx. landing in xxmins, looking for traffic.

If there is a problem on the other side: be patient, diligent, helpful and respectful but remember your the one who is the pilot and is there.

Assertiveness

[wingandaprayer]

Speaking as Timmins FSS, I would suggest checking the AWOS a couple of times. If the VGM is saying it's VFR, tell us and we'll take your word for it as it usuallly takes around 5 minutes for the special to reach us.
We used to be able to accept pireps over the AWOS, but TC put a stop to that about a year and a half ago. So we have to go with what the AWOS says, be it accurate or not. The only thing we can really do is if the weather is consistently inaccurate, we can call the techs and tell them it's acting up again. It's frustrating for us too, because we believe you, but our hands are tied on what we can do.
Regarding asking inbound IFR aircraft to hold, it depends on who is sitting in the chair in YYZ that day, some will, some won't. If the weather is really bad, ie thunderstorms, we can sometimes talk the controller into letting the vfr guy in first, but not always.

That's my 2 cents,
W&P