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In Class E below 10,000 feet MSL, VFR requires staying how far below clouds?

500 feet below, 1,000 feet above and 2,000 feet horizontal.

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  1. 2,000 feet
  2. 1,000 feet
  3. 500 feet ✔

Why: The Class E rule below 10,000 feet MSL is 3 statute miles of visibility and 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above and 2,000 feet horizontal from clouds. Class C and D use the same numbers.

Huh, didn't know that: At or above 10,000 feet MSL in Class E, it rises to 5 statute miles and 1,000 feet below, 1,000 above and 1 statute mile horizontal.

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What do clouds do when they become rich? They make it rain.
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References

Answer: 500 feet. The Class E rule below 10,000 feet MSL is 3 statute miles of visibility and 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above and 2,000 feet horizontal from clouds. Class C and D use the same numbers.

  1. 14 CFR 91.155, Basic VFR weather minimums (eCFR) www.ecfr.gov/api/renderer/v1/content/enhanced/current/title-14?part=91&section=91.155
    Class E: Less than 10,000 feet MSL 3 statute miles 500 feet below. 1,000 feet above. 2,000 feet horizontal.
    Checked 2026-10-11.

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