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Free Tool · FAR 91.155 · Interactive Reference

VFR Weather Minimums Quick-Check

Select your airspace class and time of day — get the exact visibility and cloud clearance requirements with the FAR reference. No more hunting through tables in the AIM.

Select your airspace and conditions

Requirements vary by airspace class, altitude, and day vs. night

Complete VFR minimums reference — FAR 91.155

All airspace classes · Day and night · United States operations

Airspace Flight visibility Distance from clouds Notes FAR ref
AIFR onlyIFR onlyNo VFR operations permitted in Class A91.135
B3 SMClear of cloudsDay & night same. ATC clearance required.91.155(a)
C3 SM500 ft below · 1,000 ft above · 2,000 ft horizontalDay & night same. ATC clearance required.91.155(a)
D3 SM500 ft below · 1,000 ft above · 2,000 ft horizontalDay & night same. ATC comms required.91.155(a)
E3 SM500 ft below · 1,000 ft above · 2,000 ft horizontalDay & night same. No clearance required.91.155(a)
G — Day, below 1,200 AGL1 SMClear of cloudsLowest requirements in the system.91.155(b)(1)
G — Night, below 1,200 AGL3 SM500 ft below · 1,000 ft above · 2,000 ft horizontalNight ops require same as Classes C/D/E.91.155(b)(1)
G — Day, 1,200+ AGL, below 10,000 MSL1 SM500 ft below · 1,000 ft above · 2,000 ft horizontalCloud clearance req. kicks in above 1,200 AGL.91.155(b)(2)
G — Night, 1,200+ AGL, below 10,000 MSL3 SM500 ft below · 1,000 ft above · 2,000 ft horizontal91.155(b)(2)
All — At or above 10,000 MSL5 SM1,000 ft below · 1,000 ft above · 1 SM horizontalApplies to all classes above 10,000 ft MSL. Day & night same.91.155(a)
Class A — 18,000 ft MSL and above
IFR only. No VFR permitted. All operations require ATC clearance and IFR flight plan. Extends from 18,000 ft MSL to FL600.
FL180–FL600 · All airways above 18,000 ft
Class B — Major airports
Surrounds the busiest airports (top 37 in the US). Requires ATC clearance to enter. Upside-down wedding cake shape. Student pilots need specific endorsement.
KLAX, KJFK, KORD, KATL, KSEA, KDEN
Class C — Large airports
Surrounds airports with an operational control tower and radar approach. Two-ring structure (5 NM and 10 NM). Requires ATC communication (but not clearance) to enter.
KBUF, KBUR, KABQ, KBTV
Class D — Tower-controlled airports
Surrounds airports with an operational control tower. Typically extends 4.4 NM from airport up to 2,500 ft AGL. Requires radio contact before entering.
Most airports with an ATC tower
Class E — Controlled airspace
All controlled airspace below 18,000 ft MSL that isn't A, B, C, or D. Most cross-country VFR flying happens in Class E. No radio contact required for VFR.
Federal airways, most of the US below 18,000 ft
Class G — Uncontrolled airspace
Airspace not classified as A through E. Generally below 1,200 ft AGL in most areas, though it extends higher in some regions. No ATC communication required.
Rural low-altitude areas, some Western US airspace up to 14,500 ft