I've gradually made the transition from props, to turboprops, to airliners in FSX, but I have to ask; do airliners generally fly VFR or IFR? is it weather conditions that dictate this? also is it common to fly VFR (using a STAR arrival) and land using ILS?..

Thank you in advance for not laughing at my dumb questions

Actually all Part 121 scheduled operators (airlines) are required to fly on IFR flight plans.  Altitude has nothing to do with it.

-Crossfire- wrote on Feb 13^th, 2011 at 11:56am:


What I meant is Part 121 operators, and I believe most if not all 135 operators, must be operating on IFR flight plans, regardless of altitude.  The original poster was asking if airliners fly VFR, and the short answer is no.

Air Vandalay wrote on Feb 15^th, 2011 at 10:31am:


... and now you understand why there are many real-world pilots (myself included) that are crazy about aviation but have zero interest in flying for an airline.

I believe airliners go IFR pretty much all the time

Jokerc152 wrote on Jan 23^rd, 2012 at 7:43am:

Yes... and because of where their operation fits into the FAR "parts", in the US they must file IFR and use the ATC system, even if it's a beautiful day and they aren't going above 18,000 MSL.
Remember, "airline", as far as the regs go (Part 121), means "scheduled commercial carriage of persons or goods"... there are many aircraft and flights that fall into that category other than big jets cruising way up above the weather on long flights. Those FedEx Caravans you see sometimes are airliners (Part 121), so they file IFR even if it's a 1-hour flight in VMC  at 5000 MSL. It gets crowded in terminal environments and on airways, and scheduled flights, having a schedule to meet and specific places to go on that schedule, are more likely to encounter IMC weather. Thus the blanket IFR rule. Keeps it simpler for all concerned (except when ATC is vectoring you out of your way in VMC, LOL).

And then there's Part 135... charters, etc ("on demand") commercial operators: often doing the same things as 121, but not scheduled, and not always between the same airports. They do NOT always have to file, regardless of what kind of airplane it is, or who's getting paid for what... although the definition of "VMC" is different for them than for the Part 91 crowd (just about everybody else).

There are other little differences, for equipment, limitations, crew requirements, etc. between Part 91 and 135... it's sort of halfway between 91 and 121. And like everybody else, if they fly above 18,000 MSL, they have to go under IFR.

coolness775 wrote on Jan 23^rd, 2012 at 4:57pm:

My guess is that they are handled by military ATC, possibly in (limited) coordination with civil ATC... if they are going to fly in the soup or above 18,000, they will be mixing it up with other traffic. For their own safety, that would make sense. Or maybe they just have very reliable TCAS on board... 

-Crossfire- wrote on Feb 13^th, 2011 at 11:56am:


Not exactly true. From the Aeronautical Information Manual:
3−2−2. Class A Airspace
a. Definition. Generally, that airspace from
18,000 feet MSL up to and including FL 600,
including the airspace overlying the waters within
12 nautical miles of the coast of the 48 contiguous
States and Alaska; and designated international
airspace beyond 12 nautical miles of the coast of the
48 contiguous States and Alaska within areas of
domestic radio navigational signal or ATC radar
coverage, and within which domestic procedures are
applied.
b. Operating Rules and Pilot/Equipment
Requirements. Unless otherwise authorized, all
persons must operate their aircraft under IFR. (See
14 CFR Section 71.33 and 14 CFR Section 91.167
through 14 CFR Section 91.193.)

I'm more of a casual VFR guy... Be it on a cessna or in a high speed chase training with a fighter jet...