Aviation · 14 CFR 91.155 · Class E
VFR weather minimums in Class E airspace.
Two rows split at 10,000 feet MSL. Enter your altitude and conditions to see which row applies.
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VFR minimums check
Two rows, one split
Class E has two rows in the 91.155(a) table. Below 10,000 feet MSL: 3 statute miles, with 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above and 2,000 feet horizontal from clouds. At or above 10,000 feet MSL: 5 statute miles, with 1,000 feet below, 1,000 feet above and 1 statute mile horizontal.
Where the line sits
The split is "at or above 10,000 feet MSL," so exactly 10,000 feet MSL uses the higher row. Paragraph (e) adds that "an aircraft operating at the base altitude of a Class E airspace area is considered to be within the airspace directly below that area," so an aircraft level at the base of Class E is treated as inside it.
Surface-area Class E
Where Class E extends to the surface for an airport, paragraphs (c) and (d) also apply: VFR beneath a ceiling under 1,000 feet is barred inside controlled airspace designated to the surface for an airport, and takeoff, landing or pattern entry needs 3 statute miles of ground visibility (or flight visibility if none is reported), subject to 91.157.
Worked example
At 8,500 feet MSL in Class E, the pilot needs 3 statute miles and 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above and 2,000 feet horizontal. Climbing to 10,500 feet MSL in Class E the same pilot needs 5 statute miles, 1,000 feet below, 1,000 feet above and 1 statute mile horizontal. Enter either altitude in the checker above.
Altitude is MSL, not above the ground; use the pressure altitude calculator only for pressure altitude, which is a different quantity from the MSL altitude in this rule.
The full 91.155(a) table
| Airspace | Flight visibility | Distance from clouds |
|---|---|---|
| Class A | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Class B | 3 statute miles | Clear of clouds |
| Class C | 3 statute miles | 500 ft below, 1,000 ft above, 2,000 ft horizontal |
| Class D | 3 statute miles | 500 ft below, 1,000 ft above, 2,000 ft horizontal |
| Class E, below 10,000 ft MSL | 3 statute miles | 500 ft below, 1,000 ft above, 2,000 ft horizontal |
| Class E, at or above 10,000 ft MSL | 5 statute miles | 1,000 ft below, 1,000 ft above, 1 statute mile horizontal |
| Class G, 1,200 ft or less above surface, day | 1 statute mile | Clear of clouds |
| Class G, 1,200 ft or less above surface, night | 3 statute miles | 500 ft below, 1,000 ft above, 2,000 ft horizontal |
| Class G, over 1,200 ft above surface, below 10,000 ft MSL, day | 1 statute mile | 500 ft below, 1,000 ft above, 2,000 ft horizontal |
| Class G, over 1,200 ft above surface, below 10,000 ft MSL, night | 3 statute miles | 500 ft below, 1,000 ft above, 2,000 ft horizontal |
| Class G, over 1,200 ft above surface, at or above 10,000 ft MSL | 5 statute miles | 1,000 ft below, 1,000 ft above, 1 statute mile horizontal |
Helicopter values for Class G (1/2 statute mile day, 1 statute mile night, clear of clouds, at 1,200 feet or less above the surface) are in the same table in the regulation.
FAQ
What are the VFR weather minimums in Class E below 10,000 feet MSL?
3 statute miles of flight visibility, with 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above and 2,000 feet horizontal from clouds.
What are they at or above 10,000 feet MSL?
5 statute miles of flight visibility, with 1,000 feet below, 1,000 feet above and 1 statute mile horizontal.
Does exactly 10,000 feet MSL use the higher row?
Yes. The table says at or above 10,000 feet MSL.
Is the altitude MSL or above the ground?
MSL. Class G is the class where height above the surface also matters.
Does an aircraft at the base of Class E count as inside it?
Yes. Paragraph (e) treats an aircraft at the base altitude of a Class E area as within the airspace directly below that area.
Sources
Retrieved 2026-11-02. Regulation text read through the eCFR API (current as of 2026-10-29); AIM text read from the FAA publication URL below. Rules change; check the current text.
- 14 CFR 91.155, Basic VFR weather minimums: the table, paragraphs (b) to (e).
- AIM chapter 3, section 2, Controlled airspace: Class E definition and operating rules.
Not legal advice or flight instruction
This page summarizes federal aviation rules for general information. It is not legal advice or flight instruction and does not replace the regulation, an instructor, or the FAA. Check the current rule and your own certificate privileges before you fly. Everything runs in your browser; nothing you enter is sent anywhere.