Overview
The premise of Visual Flight Rules (VFR) is that all aircraft will be able to navigate, maintain terrain and obstruction clearance, and practice collision avoidance primarily by visual references. For this reason, the FAA has established requirements for cloud clearance and flight visibility to ensure that all aircraft operating under VFR can do so safely.
| Altitude | Airspace Type | Flight Visibility | Cloud Clearance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10,000 MSL and above | E | 5 SM | 1,000 above 1,000 below 1 SM horizontal |
| G | |||
| Any altitude | B | 3 SM | Clear of Clouds |
| C | 1,000 above500 below2000 horizontal | ||
| D | |||
| Below 10,000 MSL | E | ||
| Above 1,200 AGL Below 10,000 MSL | G (night) | 3 SM | 1,000 above 500 below 2000 horizontal |
| G (day) | 1 SM | ||
| Below 1,200 AGL | G (night) | 3 SM | 1,000 above 500 below 2000 horizontal |
| G (day) | 1 SM | Clear of clouds |