You Decide
VFR and IFR

The Federal Aviation Regulations distinguish between flights made under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).

Visual Flight Rules apply to those flights in which the pilot depends upon his or her vision in order to navigate and remain clear of other traffic. These rules must therefore have very strong requirements about the minimum allowable visibility, the distance such flights must remain from clouds, and restrictions on entering areas of heavy traffic.

Under Instrument Flight rules, the pilot depends on specialized instrumentation for navigation. The pilot also maintains much closer contact with Air Traffic Control for assistance in avoiding traffic. IFR flights can therefore fly through the clouds and in reduced visibility conditions. A special certification is required for a pilot to fly under Instrument Flight Rules.