VFR Weather Minimums Reference
Interactive reference for basic VFR weather minimums by airspace class, altitude, and time of day. Source: 14 CFR 91.155. Last reviewed: July 2026.
Class A Airspace (FL180 and above)
Class A airspace (above FL180) is IFR-only airspace. VFR flight is not permitted in Class A airspace without an ATC authorization. There are no VFR weather minimums for Class A because VFR operations are not authorized.
Class A (FL180 and above)
VFR flight is not permitted in Class A airspace.
Class B (surface area)
14 CFR 91.155Visibility
3 SM
Above clouds
N/A
Below clouds
N/A
Horizontal
N/A
Clear of clouds with 3 statute miles visibility. No specific cloud clearance requirement — just stay clear of clouds.
- Student pilots may not operate in Class B without specific endorsement and training (FAR 61.95).
- ATC clearance is required to enter Class B airspace.
Class C (surface to 4,000 ft AGL)
14 CFR 91.155Visibility
3 SM
Above clouds
1,000 ft
Below clouds
500 ft
Horizontal
2,000 ft
3 statute miles visibility, 1,000 ft above clouds, 500 ft below, 2,000 ft horizontal.
- Two-way radio communication with ATC is required.
Class D (surface to ~2,500 ft AGL)
14 CFR 91.155Visibility
3 SM
Above clouds
1,000 ft
Below clouds
500 ft
Horizontal
2,000 ft
3 statute miles visibility, 1,000 ft above clouds, 500 ft below, 2,000 ft horizontal.
- Two-way radio communication with ATC is required.
Class E below 10,000 ft MSL
14 CFR 91.155Visibility
3 SM
Above clouds
1,000 ft
Below clouds
500 ft
Horizontal
2,000 ft
3 statute miles visibility, 1,000 ft above clouds, 500 ft below, 2,000 ft horizontal.
Class E at or above 10,000 ft MSL
14 CFR 91.155Visibility
5 SM
Above clouds
1,000 ft
Below clouds
1,000 ft
Horizontal
1 SM
5 statute miles visibility, 1,000 ft above, 1,000 ft below, 1 statute mile horizontal.
- Higher minimums apply regardless of airspace class (except Class A) at or above 10,000 ft MSL.
Class G, 1,200 ft AGL and below — Day
14 CFR 91.155Visibility
1 SM
Above clouds
N/A
Below clouds
N/A
Horizontal
N/A
1 statute mile visibility, clear of clouds.
- The 1,200 ft AGL threshold is height above the surface, not MSL altitude.
- Helicopter operations may have different minimums under FAR 91.155(b).
Class G, 1,200 ft AGL and below — Night
14 CFR 91.155Visibility
3 SM
Above clouds
1,000 ft
Below clouds
500 ft
Horizontal
2,000 ft
3 statute miles visibility, 1,000 ft above clouds, 500 ft below, 2,000 ft horizontal.
- The 1,200 ft AGL threshold is height above the surface, not MSL altitude.
- Helicopter operations may have different minimums under FAR 91.155(b).
Class G, above 1,200 ft AGL (below 10,000 ft MSL) — Day
14 CFR 91.155Visibility
1 SM
Above clouds
1,000 ft
Below clouds
500 ft
Horizontal
2,000 ft
1 statute mile visibility, 1,000 ft above, 500 ft below, 2,000 ft horizontal.
- The 1,200 ft AGL threshold is height above the surface, not MSL altitude.
- At or above 10,000 ft MSL, use the higher minimums (5 SM, 1,000/1,000/1 SM).
- Helicopter operations may have different minimums under FAR 91.155(b).
Class G, above 1,200 ft AGL (below 10,000 ft MSL) — Night
14 CFR 91.155Visibility
3 SM
Above clouds
1,000 ft
Below clouds
500 ft
Horizontal
2,000 ft
3 statute miles visibility, 1,000 ft above, 500 ft below, 2,000 ft horizontal.
- The 1,200 ft AGL threshold is height above the surface, not MSL altitude.
- At or above 10,000 ft MSL, use the higher minimums (5 SM, 1,000/1,000/1 SM).
- Helicopter operations may have different minimums under FAR 91.155(b).
Special VFR (SVFR)
Special VFR is an ATC clearance that allows a pilot to operate in a surface-area airspace (Class B, C, D, or E surface area) in weather conditions below basic VFR minimums.
SVFR Minimums
1 statute mile flight visibility · Clear of clouds
Requirements
- An ATC clearance is required — you must request SVFR; ATC does not offer it
- SVFR is available only within the lateral boundaries of surface-area airspace (not enroute)
- SVFR at night requires the pilot to be instrument-rated and current, and the aircraft to be equipped for IFR flight
- SVFR is not available at all airports — airports where SVFR is prohibited are marked ‘NO SVFR’ on sectional charts
- SVFR does not apply in Class A airspace
Reference: 14 CFR 91.157
Important Exceptions
- Class G airspace has different minimums below and above 1,200 ft AGL, and different day vs. night minimums — all four combinations are shown in the table above when Class G is selected.
- The 1,200 ft AGL threshold in Class G applies to height above the surface, not MSL altitude.
- Aircraft operating at or above 10,000 ft MSL have higher minimums (5 SM visibility, 1,000 ft above, 1,000 ft below, 1 SM horizontal) regardless of airspace class (except Class A).
- Helicopter operations may have different minimums under FAR 91.155(b) — consult the regulation for specifics.
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