Definition
An ATC instruction or pilot request authorizing a flight currently operating under instrument flight rules (IFR) to continue under visual flight rules (VFR) when weather conditions permit, ending the IFR clearance and the obligations that go with it.
Plain English
A clearance that lets you stop flying on your IFR plan and continue the rest of the trip under VFR, because the weather is good enough to navigate by looking outside.
Context Anchor
Heard in radio communication with ATC, especially when a flight is changing from instrument-based control to visual flight.
Derivation
Visual comes from a Latin word meaning “to see.” In this phrase, it points to flying by outside visual reference, not by relying on an instrument clearance.
Why Pilots Care
Permits a lower-workload visual arrival or continued flight when conditions support it.
Grounding Statement
If you are told to proceed Visual Flight Rules, you should be able to look outside, maintain safe visual flight, and continue without needing an instrument clearance for that portion of the flight.
Intuition Check
Do not read “proceed” as “ATC is taking full responsibility for the route.” Here it means continue under VFR, with the pilot responsible for meeting VFR requirements and avoiding hazards.
Example Sentence 1
Approaching the destination in clear skies, the pilot requested to cancel IFR and proceed VFR for the remainder of the flight.
Example Sentence 2
The controller canceled the IFR clearance and instructed the flight to proceed visual flight rules.