Cory Lidle, the New York Yankees pitcher, who was killed yesterday when his light aircraft crashed into a skyscraper on New York City’s wealthy Upper East Side, was reportedly flying under visual flight rules (VFR).
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This is a set of aviation regulations under which an aircraft may be flown, if weather conditions allow the pilot to control the aeroplane’s altitude and navigation visually.
A breathtaking view
Since the 1980s, light aircraft, which includes fixed-wing aeroplanes and helicopters alike, have been allowed to fly in the so-called New York Visual Flight Rules Corridor. This is a breathtaking low altitude trough of airspace which points south along the Hudson River and through the heart of New York. Because it goes through the metro area, its views are unparalleled.
The skies above Manhattan are crowded, as they are frequented by news, police, traffic and private helicopters, not to mention several fixed-wing aircraft, such as the plane which was flown by Lidle. It's an ironic fact that whenever the Yankees (New York’s popular baseball team) play at home, the corridor is closed as a security measure. Lidle played for the Yankees.
Visual flight rules
Pilots under VFR assume responsibility for their separation from building and other aircraft (the so-called “see-and-avoid” separation criteria). Strict rules govern VFR “weather minima” with regards to visibility, the distance from cloud cover, and altitude to ensure that the aircraft can be seen from a distance.
Pilots are usually not under the guidance of the region’s air traffic control, but this depends on the area in which they operate. They are not required to file flight plans, but generally have transponders, devices that make them visible on radar. These transponders transmit a generic code that identifies them as general aviation aircraft, without giving their identity. Pilots under VFR are required to stay clear of Class B airspace.
Class B airspace is used around major airports, in a funnel shape that is designed to contain arriving and departing commercial air traffic.
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