On Sat, 3 Dec 2005 07:03:18 -0600, "Jim Macklin"
wrote in
KKgkf.11482$QW2.64@dukeread08::

[If] Class is uncontrolled, no clearances are available.

[...]

In the "old days" it was easy to describe, special VFR was
only available in what was called a control zone, which was
the controlled airspace around an airport from the ground up
to 14,500.

Right. The last time I used SVFR was in the early '70s. It's been
amended a at least three times since then, but I haven't been
successful in locating the amendments on-line.

Now, SVFR is, in theory, available in any
airspace except Class A and such Class B as are listed in
Appendix D, but it is still tied to an airport based lateral
boundary. You can't fly a cross-country under SVFR unless
the two airports are "touching" their designated airspace.

Never could. That was what I had erroneously inferred from Mr.
Duniho's:

Since a pilot can get a Special VFR clearance pretty much anywhere
that there *isn't* Class G airspace near the surface (generally
below 700 or 1200 feet, depending), ...

But implicit in his statement is the fact that the only place (I am
aware) controlled airspace touches the ground is within the surface
area of an airport.


The purpose of SVFR is to get VFR only aircraft (pilots) in
and out of airports when the local weather is good enough
for basic VFR once you get to the Class G or from the Class
G to the airport.

Yes. Like an occasion where there is a low broken layer in the
vicinity of the airport. The minima are relaxed to permit penetration
of the cloud layer while ATC provides separation from other SVFR and
IFR flights.