VFR into IMC — Urgency & Request Assistance
advancedUK phraseologyA VFR pilot, not instrument rated, has flown into cloud. Call early with a PAN, state your capability honestly, request a heading back to VMC, and comply with a single clear instruction. Learn why calling early and admitting your limitations saves lives.
Briefing
You are a VFR pilot in Cessna 172 Golf Charlie Delta Mike Papa at 3000 feet, working London Information on 124.600. You have inadvertently flown into cloud and lost visual reference. You are NOT instrument rated. Do not wait — call now with a PAN and ask for help.
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- Exchange 1
Make an early urgency call: PAN PAN ×3, station, callsign and type, the problem, and ask for assistance.
💡 Call EARLY — a VFR pilot in IMC is an urgency (PAN), and getting help before the situation deteriorates is what keeps it from becoming a MAYDAY. Say plainly that you have entered IMC and request assistance.
- Exchange 2
State your capability honestly and request a heading back to visual conditions.
💡 Tell the controller you are NOT instrument rated — it changes how they help you, giving simple, single instructions rather than a full IFR clearance. Ask for a heading to return to VMC.
- Exchange 3
ATC: “Golf Mike Papa, roger, maintain wings level, climb straight ahead to altitude four thousand feet, do not turn.”
Comply with the single clear instruction and read it back.
💡 In IMC a non-instrument pilot must fly ONE instruction at a time and avoid turns, which can trigger disorientation. Read the instruction back so ATC knows you have it exactly.
- Exchange 4
ATC: “Golf Mike Papa, radar contact, when ready turn left heading zero nine zero, descend to altitude two thousand feet, you should become visual below.”
Read back the heading and descent.
💡 Heading and level are both mandatory readbacks. Descending to below the cloud base to regain VMC is the aim — confirm the controller's numbers exactly before you act.
Background reading
- GuideFenix A320 Failure Training: Master the 4 Emergencies Every Sim Pilot Should Practice
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- GuideYour First VATSIM Flight: From Setup to Landing Without Panic
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- GuideATC Phraseology for Flight Simmers: What to Say and When to Say It
Word-for-word ATC radio scripts for every phase of flight, clearance to landing — for VATSIM, MSFS default ATC and AI addons. Read them off the screen.