FAA Private Pilot Airplane (PAR)RegulationsMedium
A private pilot is planning a VFR flight in Class G airspace at night, at an altitude of 1,000 feet AGL over a remote, unlit area. What are the minimum VFR flight visibility and cloud clearance requirements for this flight?
- A3 statute miles visibility, 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, 2,000 feet horizontal from clouds
- B1 statute mile visibility, clear of clouds
- C5 statute miles visibility, 1,000 feet below, 1,000 feet above, 1 statute mile horizontal from clouds
- DNo specific visibility or cloud clearance requirements apply in Class G airspace at night below 1,200 feet AGL.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 3 statute miles visibility, 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, 2,000 feet horizontal from clouds
For VFR flight in Class G airspace at night, below 10,000 feet MSL (including 1,000 feet AGL), the minimum requirements are 3 statute miles visibility and cloud clearances of 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, and 2,000 feet horizontal.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. This applies to Class G airspace during the day, below 1,200 feet AGL.
- C. These are the minimums for Class E and G airspace at or above 10,000 feet MSL.
- D. Specific VFR weather minimums always apply, even in Class G airspace at night.
Class G VFR Wx Mins (Night)
For VFR flight in Class G airspace at night, below 10,000 feet MSL, the minimums are 3 SM visibility and cloud clearances of 500' below, 1,000' above, and 2,000' horizontal.
- This applies regardless of altitude up to 10,000 MSL.
- The 'clear of clouds' rule is only for Class G day, below 1,200 AGL.
- Night operations generally have higher visibility and cloud clearance requirements due to reduced visual references.
Memory trick: Golf at night, three miles of light, five-hundred, thousand, two-thousand, keep clouds out of sight!