Final answer:
Special VFR weather minima for fixed-wing aircraft require at least 1 mile of flight visibility and to remain clear of clouds. Typically, a buffer of 500 ft below, 1,000 ft above, and 2,000 ft horizontally from clouds is maintained. SVFR clearance must be obtained from air traffic control.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question you’ve asked pertains to Special Visual Flight Rules (SVFR) weather minima for aircraft other than helicopters operating in the United States. Under SVFR, for fixed-wing aircraft, the minimum flight visibility on the ground must be at least 1 mile. As for the minimum distance from clouds, the requirement is that the aircraft must remain clear of clouds. However, typically you would be expected to maintain a distance of at least 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, and 2,000 feet horizontally from any cloud formations to ensure compliance with SVFR clearance.
It’s important to note that SVFR is an exemption to the standard Visual Flight Rules (VFR) weather minima, and it allows pilots to fly in controlled airspace with reduced visibility. However, pilots must receive explicit clearance from air traffic control to proceed under SVFR conditions.