Can you land?

Why basic VFR is off the table

At many towered airports, the airspace reverts to Class E to the surface when the tower closes. Class E is still controlled airspace. Under 91.155(c), no one may fly VFR beneath a ceiling of less than 1,000 feet within the surface area for an airport. Broken 900 is a ceiling, and it's below that minimum.

Special VFR

91.155 opens with "except as provided in 91.157". Special VFR lets ATC clear you into the surface area for an airport with weather below basic VFR minimums, as long as you have:

• An ATC clearance
• Clear of clouds
• Flight visibility of at least 1 statute mile, and ground visibility of at least 1 statute mile to land (flight visibility if ground visibility isn't reported)
• At night, as in the video: the pilot meets the Part 61 requirements for instrument flight (the instrument rating and instrument currency), and the airplane is equipped as required in 91.205(d)

Special VFR isn't available to airplanes everywhere. The airports listed in Part 91, Appendix D, Section 3 (JFK, LaGuardia and Newark among them) don't allow it for fixed-wing aircraft, and the sectional marks those airports "NO SVFR".

Who issues the clearance

A closed tower doesn't close the airspace. The facility that controls it, usually approach or center, issues the clearance. You can also get one through flight service, or by phone on the ground. AIM 4-4-6 covers how to ask.

Why not just clear of clouds

Clear of clouds applies to Class G and Class B. In Class E, basic VFR needs 3 statute miles visibility and 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above and 2,000 feet horizontal from clouds. Clear of clouds only applies here with a special VFR clearance.

What about a pop-up IFR clearance?

You could, but you're lined up and fuel is tight. An SVFR clearance is simpler and may get you on the ground faster. And if the situation calls for it, declare an emergency without hesitation.