What altitude is ok?

Questions and comments about the PE Pilot Training Program
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toby23
Posts: 37
Joined: Mon May 08, 2017 4:03 pm

What altitude is ok?

Post by toby23 »

I have always thought that you need to either fly odd/even altitudes for IFR and odd/even +500 ft for VFR flights.
Recently, I have watched some flights on YT where the pilot flys at 900ft, 1200ft, 2000ft (VFR) etc during departure.
Example - https://youtu.be/Oocdd3v2YNA?t=5m40s

Q. What are the rules surrounding altitude at takeoff, landing and en-route during a VFR flight?

Q. Does 'maintain VFR at or below xxxxft' mean you are free to choose the altitude as long as you stay 500ft above ground or 1000ft above populated areas?

Thanks
rtataryn
Posts: 344
Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2015 10:19 pm
Location: Spokane, WA

Re: What altitude is ok?

Post by rtataryn »

toby23 wrote:I have always thought that you need to either fly odd/even altitudes for IFR and odd/even +500 ft for VFR flights.
Recently, I have watched some flights on YT where the pilot flys at 900ft, 1200ft, 2000ft (VFR) etc during departure.
Example - https://youtu.be/Oocdd3v2YNA?t=5m40s

Q. What are the rules surrounding altitude at takeoff, landing and en-route during a VFR flight?

Thanks
Below 3000 ft agl, the odd/even and +500 rules do not apply.

91.159 – VFR cruising altitude or flight level.
[Doc. No. 18334, 54 FR 34294, Aug. 18, 1989, as amended by Amdt. 91-276, 68 FR 61321, Oct. 27, 2003; 68 FR 70133, Dec. 17, 2003]
Except while holding in a holding pattern of 2 minutes or less, or while turning, each person operating an aircraft under VFR in level cruising flight more than 3,000 feet above the surface shall maintain the appropriate altitude or flight level prescribed below, unless otherwise authorized by ATC:

(a) When operating below 18,000 feet MSL and—

(1) On a magnetic course of zero degrees through 179 degrees, any odd thousand foot MSL altitude + 500 feet (such as 3,500, 5,500, or 7,500); or

(2) On a magnetic course of 180 degrees through 359 degrees, any even thousand foot MSL altitude + 500 feet (such as 4,500, 6,500, or 8,500).

(b) When operating above 18,000 feet MSL, maintain the altitude or flight level assigned by ATC.

toby23 wrote: Q. Does 'maintain VFR at or below xxxxft' mean you are free to choose the altitude as long as you stay 500ft above ground or 1000ft above populated areas?
Yes, as long as you follow the +500 rule above 3000 agl.
Last edited by rtataryn on Thu Jun 14, 2018 9:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
Rod
PPL, Instrument, ASEL, ASES
2013 Cirrus SR22T N877MS
2018 Icon A5 N509BA
1946 Piper J3 Cub N7121H
1942 Stearman N2S N6848
toby23
Posts: 37
Joined: Mon May 08, 2017 4:03 pm

Re: What altitude is ok?

Post by toby23 »

And are you free to change your altitude under 3000ft without notifying anyone?

Thanks
rtataryn
Posts: 344
Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2015 10:19 pm
Location: Spokane, WA

Re: What altitude is ok?

Post by rtataryn »

toby23 wrote:And are you free to change your altitude under 3000ft without notifying anyone?

Thanks


Never while IFR - only while VFR. And while VFR you are free to change altitude anytime, anywhere without notifying - unless given a specific altitude instruction by ATC.
Rod
PPL, Instrument, ASEL, ASES
2013 Cirrus SR22T N877MS
2018 Icon A5 N509BA
1946 Piper J3 Cub N7121H
1942 Stearman N2S N6848
toby23
Posts: 37
Joined: Mon May 08, 2017 4:03 pm

Re: What altitude is ok?

Post by toby23 »

Thank you.
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