Small Aircraft; High Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 1; Flight Crew Total 91; Flight Crew Type 28
Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter VFR In IMC; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors; Weather
I departed and received flight following VFR to Visalia. Approximately 10 miles from Visalia; flight following was terminated and I received the latest weather from Visalia. Visibility was reported 1 3/4 mile. I was confused with class G airspace and thought VFR visibility requirements were 1 mile; so I assumed I was clear to begin my approach. I made calls on the CTAF of 10 miles; 5 miles out and 2 miles out hearing nothing back from local traffic. Once I announced I was overflying the field and entering on a right crosswind for runway 30; a pilot on the ground informed me that the 'field was IFR and that I was holding things up; but go ahead and land anyway.' I did not know if this pilot's statements were true and did not want to engage in any argument in such a critical phase of flight. I was also a bit shaken up by the aggressiveness of this pilot's tone and just wanted to get on the ground and out of his way. I had good visibility; so I continued the approach and landed safely. After landing; the pilot informed me that Fresno approach wanted to talk to me and gave me a phone number.I have since checked airspace visibility requirements and verified that 3 SM is required in Class E airspace; which is active in Visalia 1400-0800Z. I also wrongly assumed that ForeFlight; which was telling me 'Marginal VFR' at Visalia; was aware of visibility requirements. I am aware of the deviation and have learned an important lesson about visibility requirements.
General aviation pilot reported landing visually at VIS with visibility reported as 1 and 3/4 miles and is informed by a pilot on the ground that the field is IFR.