For Class E airspace below 10,000 feet MSL, not in Class B, C, or D, what are the basic VFR minimums?

• A. 3 statute miles visibility, 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, 2,000 feet horizontal
• B. 5 statute miles visibility, 1,000 feet above, 1,000 feet below, 1 mile horizontal
• C. 3 statute miles visibility, 1,000 feet below, 500 feet above, 2,000 feet horizontal
• D. 1 statute mile visibility, 2,000 feet below, 1,000 feet above, 2,000 feet horizontal

Answer: (A)

In Class E airspace below 10,000 feet MSL (as long as you’re not in B, C, or D), the basic VFR minimums require 3 statute miles of visibility and keeping clear of clouds with at least 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, and 2,000 feet horizontally from any cloud. This combination gives you enough visual margin to see the terrain and other aircraft while still operating in controlled airspace that isn’t near a surface-to-air control area.

The 5-mile visibility figure belongs to operations above 10,000 feet MSL, so it isn’t applicable here. The cloud clearance should be 500 feet below and 1,000 feet above; reversing those values wouldn’t meet the required separation. A 1-mile visibility with a 2,000-foot gap below and 1,000 feet above also fails to meet the 3-mile visibility standard for this scenario.