Definition
An advisory phrase used by a Flight Service Station (FSS) briefer when sky conditions, visibility, or other weather along the proposed route make a flight under Visual Flight Rules unsafe in the briefer's judgment. It is an advisory only — the decision to fly remains with the pilot in command.
Plain English
The weather briefer is telling you the weather looks too poor to fly safely using outside visual references. It's a warning, not a ban — you can still legally go, but the briefer thinks you shouldn't.
Context Anchor
Heard during a preflight or in-flight weather briefing when visibility, clouds, or other weather conditions may make visual flying unsafe.
Why Pilots Care
It warns the pilot of conditions that could quickly become unsafe even though the flight remains technically legal.
Grounding Statement
When you hear VFR Not Recommended, treat it as a clear warning that the weather may not support safe visual flying.
Intuition Check
Do not read “not recommended” as a casual suggestion. In this FAA use, it means the briefer sees weather risk serious enough to warn against VFR flight, but the final decision still belongs to the pilot.
Example Sentence 1
After hearing 'VFR not recommended' due to lowering ceilings along the route, the pilot delayed the flight until the afternoon.
Example Sentence 2
After hearing VFR Not Recommended, the pilot chose to wait for better weather before departing.