Basic Principles of VFR

Visual Flight Rules (VFR) governs flights operating in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC), i.e., conditions in which flight solely by visual reference is possible.

Unlike IFR flights, which follow a set routing, VFR flights generally navigate at the pilot's discretion. ATC may, however, issue traffic information and avoidance advice upon request, as well as restrict the VFR aircrafts' altitude or direction of flight as appropriate.

Restrictions and Minima

VFR flights are not permitted in Class A airspace. In the Reykjavik CTA, this is:

All airspace above FL195.
In the Oceanic Area (OCA), all airspace above FL55 (airspace under FL55 is uncontrolled Class G airspace).

Secondly, VFR flights may only take place in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC).

In Iceland, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands, control zones (CTRs) or aerodromes are considered to be in VMC if the visibility is at least 5km, and the ceiling (lowest layer of BKN/OVC clouds reported in the METAR) is at least 1500ft.

Conditions below VMC requirements are known as Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). If the CTR/aerodrome is in IMC, then ATC may not give aircraft VFR clearance.

In Iceland, the only exemptions from the weather requirements for VFR are:

Search and Rescue flights.
Exercise flights for Search and Rescue.
Coast Guard flights
Ambulance and emergency flights.

If conditions are IMC, a pilot may either choose to file an IFR flight plan and receive IFR clearance, or they may request Special VFR.