VFR altitude question

[blazer05]

Assumption - departure airport is SW of the arrival airport - VFR altitudes over 3000 AGL would be odd plus 500 - right?

Between the airports is restricted airspace that forces your path to the NW until you clear the restricted airspace to turn towards your arrival airport.

While flying NW to avoid the restricted airspace - do you fly at even plus 500?

Assuming the answer is Yes - do you then change to odd plus 500 when you turn NE or E to head towards your arrival airport?

[Ryan B]

If you're VFR not getting service just maintain VFR. Those altitudes are only suggested (more like highly recommended). You can maneuver as needed up and down.

If you're under ATC you can change altitudes when you switch directions.... Just don't change if ATC issued a previous altitude restriction. Or to be clear just ask to change if you're unsure whether or not you have a restriction.

[Pieces]

Ryan: the altitudes are actually a requirement in the FARs. See: http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SI ... .10.2.5.36

blazer05: You've got the right idea. If you're going to be cruising level for a reasonable amount of time, you need to be on the correct altitude. You would then change your altitude with a direction change. As Ryan noted, if you're under some sort of ATC altitude restriction you would not change altitudes.

[Mark Hargrove]

Reece is 100% right -- those VFR cruising altitude are mandatory. As you note, though, they only apply above 3000' AGL and you can sometimes use that to your advantage when maneuvering around complex airspace.

-M.

[Ryan B]

Reece is 100% right -- those VFR cruising altitude are mandatory. As you note, though, they only apply above 3000' AGL and you can sometimes use that to your advantage when maneuvering around complex airspace.

-M.

Cripes.... I'm a PPL ASEL (totally not current) but I didn't know that.

Holy cow I see so many pilots bust that at work... in less busy airspace we must care less LOL!