What are the standard VFR weather minimums for Class E airspace below 10,000 ft MSL?

• A. 5 statute miles visibility; 1000 ft above, 1000 ft below, 1 statute mile horizontal
• B. 3 statute miles visibility; 500 ft below, 1000 ft above, 2000 ft horizontal
• C. 3 statute miles visibility; 1000 ft below, 1000 ft above, 1 statute mile horizontal
• D. 3 statute miles visibility; 500 ft below, 1000 ft above, 2000 ft horizontal

Answer: (C)

In VFR conditions, the weather minimums for Class E airspace below 10,000 ft MSL are three statute miles of visibility and cloud clearance of 1,000 feet above, 500 feet below, and 2,000 feet horizontally from the clouds. This combination ensures you have enough visibility to see other aircraft and obstacles, while staying clear of cloud bases in a busy, controlled airspace where IFR traffic can be present at these altitudes. The other options change either the visibility, the vertical separation from clouds, or the horizontal separation, and do not match the standard requirements for Class E below 10,000 ft.