CAVU

[earl1937]

  In aviation, almost from day one, there has been a term, "CAVU", what does it mean?

[colmbo]

CAVU is a mystical weather phenomenon that rarely occurs if you really have to be somewhere.

[Puma44]

Agree.  The urgency of your need to get somewhere has a direct effect on CAVU.  If it's a one day trip, plan on it taking three days.

[earl1937]

In aviation, almost from day one, there has been a term, "CAVU", what does it mean?

Just for the youger set in here:  Ceiling  And  Visibility   Unlimited.    Term was mostly used by old FAA flight station personnel and military weather forecasters if they really didn't want to say much. I always looked at that as "I don't really know what the weather is going to like, but I am required to give you some kind of info"~!

[colmbo]

I always looked at that as "I don't really know what the weather is going to like, but I am required to give you some kind of info"~!

In 2000 the wife and I, along with two other aircraft, were working our way south through Alberta, Canada.  Weather was widespread low ceilings and rain, our progress had been slower by airplane than the year before when we drove the route.  We were in Grand Praire and walked into the FSS and I asked for a VFB brief to Edmonton and points south….he replied "Fat chance!".

We did get out that day and made it to Lethbridge just after dark.

Another term is WOXOF….