FAA Private Pilot Airplane (PAR)RegulationsMedium
A private pilot is planning a VFR flight in Class E airspace at 8,500 feet MSL during the day. What are the minimum flight visibility and cloud clearance requirements for this flight?
- A1 statute mile visibility, clear of clouds.
- B5 statute miles visibility, 1,000 feet below, 1,000 feet above, 1 statute mile horizontal from clouds.
- C3 statute miles visibility, 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, 2,000 feet horizontal from clouds.
- D1 statute mile visibility, 1,000 feet below, 1,000 feet above, 1 statute mile horizontal from clouds.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 3 statute miles visibility, 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, 2,000 feet horizontal from clouds.
For VFR flight in Class E airspace at an altitude below 10,000 feet MSL, the minimum flight visibility is 3 statute miles, and the cloud clearance requirements are 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, and 2,000 feet horizontal from clouds.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This is for Class G below 1,200 feet AGL during the day, or Class B airspace.
- B. These are the VFR minimums for all airspace classes (E and G) at or above 10,000 feet MSL.
- D. This is for Class G airspace during the day, above 1,200 feet AGL and below 10,000 feet MSL.
Class E VFR Weather Minimums (Below 10,000 MSL)
For VFR flight in Class E airspace below 10,000 feet MSL (including at 8,500 feet MSL), the minimum flight visibility is 3 statute miles, and cloud clearance is 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, and 2,000 feet horizontal from clouds.
- Airspace: Class E.
- Altitude: Below 10,000 feet MSL.
- Visibility: 3 statute miles.
- Cloud Clearance: 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, 2,000 feet horizontal.
Memory trick: Echo's VFR: Below 10K, '3-152' Rule; Above 10K, '5-111' Rule.