1.   Conditions applicable for VFR flights at night

For the purpose of SERA 5005 c), excluding Search and Rescue, Medical Emergency, Fire Fighting and State aircraft (Police, Military and Customs) flights, VFR flights at night are permitted in Portugal under the following conditions:

1. if leaving the vicinity of an aerodrome, a flight plan shall be submitted;
2. flights shall establish and maintain two-way radio communication on the appropriate ATS communication channel, when available;
3. the VMC visibility and distance from cloud minima as specified in Table S5-1 of SERA.5001 shall apply except that:
4. 1. the ceiling shall not be less than 450M (1500FT);
   2. the reduced flight visibility provisions specified in Table S5-1(a) and (b) of SERA.5001 shall not apply;
   3. in airspace classes B, C, D, E, F and G, at and below 900M (3000FT) AMSL or 300M (1000FT) above terrain, whichever is the higher, the pilot shall maintain continuous sight of the surface; and
5. except when necessary for take-off or landing, a VFR flight at night shall be flown:  
   1. over high terrain or in mountainous areas, at a level which is at least 600M (2000FT) above the highest obstacle located within 8KM of the estimated position of the aircraft;
   2. elsewhere than as specified in i. at a level which is at least 300M (1000FT) above the highest obstacle located within 8KM of the estimated position of the aircraft.

2.   Access of VFR flights above flight level 195 or at transonic or supersonic speeds

VFR flights planning to operate at transonic or supersonic speeds or any VFR flights planning to operate between FL195 up to FL285 must obtain prior authorization from Autoridade Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC). The authorization request shall be submitted 30 days prior to the date of flight to [email protected].

3.   VFR Routes in Lisboa TMA

General Remarks:

Due to traffic complexity in the area surrounding Lisboa Airport, the vicinity of Cascais Aerodrome and the growth of VFR traffic it is of utmost importance the adjustment of VFR traffic inside Lisboa CTR and TMA.

In this sense, two different route structures were established:

• VFR tunnels for light aircraft and helicopters (described in ENR 3.5 OTHER ROUTES)
• Helicopters VFR routes and Helicopters Lisboa Airport entry/exit points (described in ENR 3.4 HELICOPTER ROUTES and LPPT AD 2)

VFR TUNNELS

For the provision of FIS and in order to avoid overload of Lisboa Approach Radio Frequency, VFR traffic operating on VFR Tunnels, shall:

1. Submit a flight plan (see ENR 1.10).
2. Pilots are requested to fill the flight plan according to the following rules. Within Lisboa APP/TMA airspace VFR traffic shall proceed via published VFR Tunnels, monitor Lisboa APP FREQ 119.105 MHz when entering the Tunnel and contact Cascais TWR FREQ 120.305 MHz when leaving the Tunnel at Bugio, or Lisboa Information FREQ 123.755 MHZ when leaving the Tunnel at Carvalhal or Venda Nova Dam.
3. Be equipped and maintain in operation SSR Transponder with mode C.
4. Set always the altimeter with Lisboa updated QNH

HELICOPTERS VFR ROUTES

For the provision of ATS and in order to facilitate the transit of helicopters entering/exiting Lisboa Airport or other heliports within Lisboa CTR, two helicopter routes ( Visual Tejo Route “TR” and Visual Salemas Route “SR”) are established. helicopters flying on these routes shall:

1. Submit a flight plan (see ENR 1.10).
2. Obtain an ATC clearance.
3. Maintain continuous bi-lateral communications with Lisboa TWR/APP as instructed.
4. Be equipped and maintain in operation SSR transponder with mode C.
5. Set always the altimeter with Lisboa updated QNH.
6. Advise ATC before leaving assigned route or profile and expect delay if that happens.

Helicopters using heliports or other places within Lisboa CTR shall contact Lisboa Tower prior take-off.

4.   VFR Tunnels in Porto TMA

5.   VFR TUNNEL IN FARO TMA

General Remarks:

Due to traffic complexity in the area surrounding Faro Airport and the growth of VFR Traffic into the area subjacent to Faro TMA and close to Faro CTR, it is of the utmost importance the adjustment of VFR traffic flows in order to avoid the overload of Faro Approach Radio frequency.

To accomplish with the stated above, the two way tunnels named EAST and WEST defined by visual reference points “Marina de Vilamoura - Almancil - São João da Venda - Pechão - Quelfes - Fuseta“are brought into service with the observation of the following compulsory rules.

For the provision of FIS, VFR traffic operating on:

1. East - West Tunnel, shall:
   1. Submit a flight plan (see ENR 1.10).
   2. Report entering and exiting the tunnels and maintain continuous monitoring on Faro Approach frequency.
   3. Be equipped and maintain in operation SSR Transponder with Mode C.
   4. Set always the altimeter with Faro updated QNH
2. For traffic intending to enter or cross Faro CTR (outside of VFR Tunnel) visual reporting points Albufeira, Loulé, S.Brás de Alportel and Tavira are compulsory REP’s.
3. For traffic crossing Faro CTR (outside of VFR Tunnel) visual reporting points Fuseta, Praia de Faro, Almancil and Marina de Vilamoura are compulsory REP’s.

Routes described in ENR 3.5 OTHER ROUTES.