VFR in Congested Areas | Excerpts from AIM

From Hazards section of the Safety Chapter of the FAA's Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)

Mar 2014

Guidelines below are customized by FlightPhysical.com from FAA instructions specified in the 2014 Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), the FAA's Official Guide to Basic Flight Information and ATC Procedures. Latest Web currency verification was Mar 2014.

A high percentage of near midair collisions occur below 8,000 feet AGL and within 30 miles of an airport. When operating VFR in these highly congested areas, whether you intend to land at an airport within the area or are just flying through, it is recommended that extra vigilance be maintained and that you monitor an appropriate control frequency. Normally the appropriate frequency is an approach control frequency. By such monitoring action you can "get the picture" of the traffic in your area. When the approach controller has radar, radar traffic advisories may be given to VFR pilots upon request.

Content Derived from FAA's Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM): Chapter 7, Section 5 paragraph: 7-5-2
AIM reference current through Change 3 Aug 22, 2013, Web Accessed 20 Mar 2014

Related Chapters from the AIM:
Safety (Chap 7) | Medical Facts for Pilots (Chap 8)

This page discussed VFR in Congested Areas from Hazards section of the Safety Chapter of the FAA's Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM).