Quick reference
VFR weather minimums by airspace class (14 CFR 91.155)
What are the VFR weather minimums in each class of airspace?
In Class B you need 3 statute miles of flight visibility and must stay clear of clouds. In Class C, Class D and Class E below 10,000 feet MSL you need 3 statute miles and must stay 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above and 2,000 feet horizontally from clouds. 14 CFR 91.155(a) Class G is lower close to the ground: by day at 1,200 feet AGL or less it is 1 statute mile and clear of clouds. At or above 10,000 feet MSL in Class E, and in Class G more than 1,200 feet AGL, it rises to 5 statute miles with 1,000 feet below, 1,000 feet above and 1 statute mile horizontal. 14 CFR 91.155(a)
| Airspace | Altitude | Flight visibility | Distance from clouds | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class A | All (18,000 ft MSL to FL600) | Not applicable (IFR only) | Not applicable | 14 CFR 91.155(a) 14 CFR 91.135 AIM 3-2-2 |
| Class B | All | 3 SM | Clear of clouds | 14 CFR 91.155(a) |
| Class C | All | 3 SM | 500 ft below, 1,000 ft above, 2,000 ft horizontal | 14 CFR 91.155(a) |
| Class D | All | 3 SM | 500 ft below, 1,000 ft above, 2,000 ft horizontal | 14 CFR 91.155(a) |
| Class E | Below 10,000 ft MSL | 3 SM | 500 ft below, 1,000 ft above, 2,000 ft horizontal | 14 CFR 91.155(a) |
| Class E | At or above 10,000 ft MSL | 5 SM | 1,000 ft below, 1,000 ft above, 1 SM horizontal | 14 CFR 91.155(a) |
| Class G | 1,200 ft AGL or less, day | 1 SM | Clear of clouds | 14 CFR 91.155(a) |
| Class G | 1,200 ft AGL or less, night | 3 SM | 500 ft below, 1,000 ft above, 2,000 ft horizontal (see the traffic-pattern exception) | 14 CFR 91.155(a) 14 CFR 91.155(b)(2) |
| Class G | More than 1,200 ft AGL but below 10,000 ft MSL, day | 1 SM | 500 ft below, 1,000 ft above, 2,000 ft horizontal | 14 CFR 91.155(a) |
| Class G | More than 1,200 ft AGL but below 10,000 ft MSL, night | 3 SM | 500 ft below, 1,000 ft above, 2,000 ft horizontal | 14 CFR 91.155(a) |
| Class G | More than 1,200 ft AGL and at or above 10,000 ft MSL | 5 SM | 1,000 ft below, 1,000 ft above, 1 SM horizontal | 14 CFR 91.155(a) |
| Special VFR | Surface area, below 10,000 ft MSL, with an ATC clearance | 1 SM | Clear of clouds | 14 CFR 91.157(b) |
How to read the table
For every class of airspace and altitude band, the regulation sets two numbers: the flight visibility you need and how far you must stay from clouds. 14 CFR 91.155(a) Class A has no VFR minimums because every flight there is conducted under IFR. 14 CFR 91.155(a) 14 CFR 91.135 In Class G the lowest band is measured from the surface: it covers 1,200 feet or less above the surface regardless of the MSL altitude, so over high terrain it can sit well above 10,000 feet MSL. 14 CFR 91.155(a) If you fly exactly at the base altitude of a Class E area, you are treated as being in the airspace directly below it, so the lower airspace’s minimums apply. 14 CFR 91.155(e)
The values for Class C, Class D and Class E below 10,000 feet MSL are identical, which is why students memorize them together as “3-152”: 3 statute miles, 1,000 feet above, 500 feet below and 2,000 feet horizontal. 14 CFR 91.155(a) Class B needs only clear of clouds; every aircraft in Class B needs an ATC clearance and receives separation services from ATC. 14 CFR 91.155(a) AIM 3-2-3
The night traffic-pattern exception in Class G
At night in Class G at 1,200 feet AGL or less, the basic minimum is 3 statute miles with 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above and 2,000 feet horizontal. 14 CFR 91.155(a) An airplane may instead be flown clear of clouds with as little as 1 statute mile of visibility at night, but only in Class G below 1,200 feet above the surface, in an airport traffic pattern, within one-half mile of the runway. 14 CFR 91.155(b)(2)
Surface areas: ceiling and ground visibility
Within the lateral boundaries of controlled airspace designated to the surface for an airport, you may not fly VFR beneath the ceiling when the ceiling is less than 1,000 feet. 14 CFR 91.155(c) To take off, land or enter the traffic pattern under VFR in the surface area of Class B, C, D or E airspace, the ground visibility at that airport must be at least 3 statute miles; if ground visibility is not reported, flight visibility must be at least 3 statute miles. 14 CFR 91.155(d)
Special VFR (14 CFR 91.157)
- Special VFR lets you operate below the basic minimums, but only below 10,000 feet MSL within the airspace above a surface area of controlled airspace designated for an airport. 14 CFR 91.157(a)
- It requires an ATC clearance; you must remain clear of clouds and have at least 1 statute mile of flight visibility. 14 CFR 91.157(b)
- Between sunset and sunrise, an airplane pilot may use special VFR only if the pilot meets the Part 61 requirements for instrument flight and the aircraft is equipped for IFR under 91.205(d). 14 CFR 91.157(b)(4)
- To take off or land under special VFR, ground visibility must be at least 1 statute mile, or flight visibility must be if ground visibility is not reported. 14 CFR 91.157(c)
- Fixed-wing special VFR is not available at the airports listed in Part 91 Appendix D, section 3, which include Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, Baltimore/Washington and Boston Logan. 14 CFR Part 91, Appendix D, section 3
Common mistakes
- Giving Class B the “3-152” cloud clearances. Class B needs 3 statute miles and clear of clouds; the 500/1,000/2,000 values belong to Class C, Class D and Class E below 10,000 feet MSL. 14 CFR 91.155(a)
- Using the Class G day value at night. At 1,200 feet AGL or less, 1 statute mile and clear of clouds is the day minimum; at night it is 3 statute miles with 500/1,000/2,000, except in the traffic pattern within one-half mile of the runway. 14 CFR 91.155(a) 14 CFR 91.155(b)(2)
- Applying 5 statute miles too early. The 5 SM and 1,000/1,000/1 SM values begin at 10,000 feet MSL in Class E; in Class G you must also be more than 1,200 feet above the surface. 14 CFR 91.155(a)
- Treating special VFR as a weather minimum you can simply use. It needs an ATC clearance, applies only in a surface area below 10,000 feet MSL, and at night needs an instrument-qualified pilot and an IFR-equipped aircraft. 14 CFR 91.157
Quick answers
What are the VFR weather minimums in Class B airspace?
3 statute miles of flight visibility, and you must remain clear of clouds. 14 CFR 91.155(a)
What does “3-152” mean?
It is shorthand for 3 statute miles of visibility and a cloud clearance of 1,000 feet above, 500 feet below and 2,000 feet horizontal — the minimums for Class C, Class D and Class E below 10,000 feet MSL. 14 CFR 91.155(a)
What are the special VFR weather minimums?
An ATC clearance, clear of clouds and at least 1 statute mile of flight visibility, within a surface area below 10,000 feet MSL; at night the pilot must be instrument qualified and the airplane IFR equipped. 14 CFR 91.157(a) 14 CFR 91.157(b)
What are the Class G VFR minimums at night?
Below 10,000 feet MSL, 3 statute miles with 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above and 2,000 feet horizontal; more than 1,200 feet AGL and at or above 10,000 feet MSL, 5 statute miles with 1,000 feet below, 1,000 feet above and 1 statute mile horizontal. 14 CFR 91.155(a)
Test yourself
Ten practice questions on this topic, graded with explanations. No signup needed.
Learn it properly
- Lesson: VFR Weather Minimums
- Lesson: The Airspace System at a Glance
- Regulation: 14 CFR 91.155, full text and study notes
- Regulation: 14 CFR 91.157, full text and study notes
Sources
14 CFR (2025 annual edition, as hosted on this site; current text on the eCFR) and the Aeronautical Information Manual (Basic, with Changes 1 and 2). Checked 2026-09-27.
14 CFR 91.155(a) 14 CFR 91.135 AIM 3-2-2 14 CFR 91.155(b)(2) 14 CFR 91.157(b) 14 CFR 91.155(e) AIM 3-2-3 14 CFR 91.155(c) 14 CFR 91.155(d) 14 CFR 91.157(a) 14 CFR 91.157(b)(4) 14 CFR 91.157(c) 14 CFR Part 91, Appendix D, section 3 14 CFR 91.157
Study reference only. Written by PPL Free Ground School from the current FAA regulations and the Aeronautical Information Manual, and reviewed through our AI instructional-review system — not by a certificated flight instructor. We are not affiliated with or approved by the FAA, and this page is not an authoritative source: confirm against the current eCFR, the AIM and your instructor before you fly.
Meeting a regulatory minimum is not the same as a safe go/no-go decision. Always apply safe margins for weather, fuel, night operations, performance, and cross-country planning.