FAA Sport Pilot Airplane (SPA)Airspace and NavigationEasy
A sport pilot is flying at 800 feet AGL during the day in Class G airspace, outside a surface area for an airport. What are the minimum flight visibility and cloud clearance requirements?
- A3 statute miles visibility, 500 feet below clouds
- B1 statute mile visibility, clear of clouds
- C1 statute mile visibility, 500 feet below clouds
- D3 statute miles visibility, clear of clouds
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 1 statute mile visibility, clear of clouds
Under 14 CFR 91.155, in Class G airspace below 1,200 feet AGL during the day, the minimum VFR weather minimums are 1 statute mile visibility and remaining clear of clouds.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. These are the minimums for Class G below 1,200 feet AGL at night, not day.
- C. Mixes the day visibility with the night cloud clearance requirement.
- D. These minimums apply above 1,200 AGL but below 10,000 MSL, not below 1,200 AGL.
Class G VFR Minimums (Day, <1,200 AGL)
The lowest airspace class has the least restrictive VFR weather minimums when flying low and during daylight.
- Below 1,200 ft AGL, day: 1 SM visibility, clear of clouds
- Below 1,200 ft AGL, night: 3 SM, 500 below/1,000 above/2,000 horizontal
- Above 1,200 AGL but below 10,000 MSL: 1 SM day, 3 SM night
Memory trick: 'G is for Ground level, Get by with less' — low Class G day minimums are the easiest.