Practice test
Unit 7 · Airspace · Lesson 3 of 4

VFR weather minimums

10 min readLesson 32 of 593D lab

By the end of this lesson you'll be able to:
  • State the VFR visibility and cloud clearance for each class
  • Apply the basic VFR rules for airports in controlled airspace
  • Know when special VFR is allowed

VFR weather minimums are in 14 CFR 91.155. "152" is shorthand for 1,000 feet above, 500 feet below and 2,000 feet horizontal from clouds.

AirspaceVisibilityCloud clearance
Class ANot applicable (IFR only)
Class B3 SMClear of clouds
Class C and D3 SM500 below, 1,000 above, 2,000 horizontal
Class E below 10,000 MSL3 SM500 below, 1,000 above, 2,000 horizontal
Class E at/above 10,000 MSL5 SM1,000 below, 1,000 above, 1 SM horizontal
Class G, 1,200 AGL or less, day1 SMClear of clouds
Class G, 1,200 AGL or less, night3 SM500 below, 1,000 above, 2,000 horizontal
Class G, above 1,200 AGL below 10,000 MSL, day1 SM500 below, 1,000 above, 2,000 horizontal
Class G, above 1,200 AGL below 10,000 MSL, night3 SM500 below, 1,000 above, 2,000 horizontal
Class G, above 1,200 AGL at/above 10,000 MSL5 SM1,000 below, 1,000 above, 1 SM horizontal

One night exception in Class G: an airplane may operate clear of clouds with 1 SM visibility when in the traffic pattern within 1/2 mile of the runway.

Airports in controlled airspace (91.155(c) and (d))

Within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class B, C, D or E airspace designated for an airport, you can't operate VFR beneath a ceiling lower than 1,000 feet, and you can't take off, land or enter the traffic pattern unless the ground visibility is at least 3 SM (or flight visibility, if ground visibility isn't reported).

Special VFR (91.157)

When the weather is below basic VFR in a surface area, you can ask ATC for a special VFR clearance. It requires 1 SM flight visibility and staying clear of clouds, plus 1 SM ground visibility to take off or land. At night, special VFR requires an instrument rating and an IFR-equipped airplane. It's legal, but low visibility is exactly the condition that catches VFR pilots; your instructor can help you set personal minimums well above this.

Try it in 3D: Airspace in 3DFly through Class A to G and see what you need to enter each one.

Key takeaways

  • Most common: 3 SM and 152 (Class C, D and E below 10,000 MSL).
  • Class B: 3 SM, clear of clouds. Class G day low: 1 SM, clear of clouds.
  • Surface area of controlled airspace: 1,000 ft ceiling and 3 SM; special VFR: 1 SM, clear of clouds, IR required at night.

What the examiner may ask

Practice answering out loud before you open each answer.

What are the VFR minimums at 9,500 ft MSL in Class E?
3 SM visibility, 500 below, 1,000 above, 2,000 horizontal.
Can you take off VFR from a Class D airport with a 900-foot ceiling?
Not under basic VFR (1,000 ft ceiling required in the surface area). You could request special VFR if you meet its requirements.
What are the Class G minimums at night below 1,200 AGL?
3 SM and 500 below, 1,000 above, 2,000 horizontal, except 1 SM clear of clouds in the pattern within 1/2 mile of the runway.

Common mistakes

  • Using day Class G minimums at night.
  • Forgetting the 1,000-foot ceiling rule for surface areas.
  • Treating legal minimums as safe minimums.

Read it in the FAA sources

PHAK · Chapter 15AirspaceOpens the PHAK at this chapter ↗14 CFR 91.155Basic VFR weather minimumsOfficial eCFR text ↗14 CFR 91.157Special VFR weather minimumsOfficial eCFR text ↗

Go deeper on the site

Airspace Classes Explained: Entry, Equipment, Weather Minimums and Chart Depictions

Lesson check

Get every question right to complete the lesson. Take your time; wrong answers explain why.

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