At or above 10,000 feet MSL, what are basic VFR minimums?

• A. 5 statute miles visibility, 1,000 feet above, 1,000 feet below, 2,000 feet horizontal
• B. 3 statute miles visibility, 1,000 feet above, 1,000 feet below, 2,000 feet horizontal
• C. 5 statute miles visibility, 1,000 feet above, 1,000 feet below, 1 mile horizontal
• D. 5 statute miles visibility, 2,000 feet above, 1,000 feet below, 1 mile horizontal

Answer: (C)

Basic VFR minimums increase when you’re at or above 10,000 feet MSL to give pilots more visibility and clearance in higher-altitude operations. The required conditions are 5 statute miles of visibility, with cloud clearance of 1,000 feet above, 1,000 feet below, and 1 mile horizontally from the clouds.

This combination gives you a larger overall visibility and a protected airspace corridor to better avoid other aircraft and weather phenomena in thinner air and busier high-altitude environments. The choice that lists 5 miles of visibility, 1,000 feet above, 1,000 feet below, and 1 mile horizontally matches these requirements.

The other options don’t fit: some show too little visibility, some use a longer horizontal distance than required, and one uses an incorrect vertical distance.