When the Weather Closes In
CAA found that pilots who press on below VFR minima are far more likely to end up in trouble — set your own go/no-go limits and turn back early.
1 min read6 viewsKapiti Aero Club safety team
CAA has recently highlighted a concerning trend of VFR flights carrying on into weather below VFR minima. It was first picked up in May this year, when low cloud or fog affected about a third of days across the southern region and there were multiple reports of aircraft operating below VFR minima.
Between January 2020 and June 2026, 43 occurrences were reported where the weather dropped below VFR minima. In 33 of them the pilot pressed on, and those flights were more likely to involve inadvertent IMC, emergency assistance, fuel concerns, terrain conflicts or an accident. In the other 10, the pilot spotted the change early and turned back or diverted.
- Check the forecast for visibility and cloud base before you go.
- Set your own go/no-go minima before the flight and stick to them.
- Don't fly below VFR minima. They give you a buffer from terrain, traffic and the unexpected.
- If it starts closing in, act early: delay, turn back or divert.
- Treat pressure to get home, keep passengers happy or make an event as a risk, not a reason to carry on.
If you're unsure about the weather for a flight, have a chat with one of the instructors before you go. And remember, if you're already questioning the conditions, you're outside your margins. There's nothing wrong with turning around.