Aviation · 14 CFR 91.155 · Class G
VFR weather minimums in Class G airspace.
The most split-up row of the table: height above the surface, MSL altitude and day or night. Enter yours.
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VFR minimums check
Three things decide the row
Class G minimums depend on height above the surface (1,200 feet or less, or more), MSL altitude (below or at or above 10,000 feet) and whether it is day or night. For an airplane at 1,200 feet or less above the surface (regardless of MSL altitude): day, 1 statute mile and clear of clouds; night, 3 statute miles and 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, 2,000 feet horizontal. More than 1,200 feet above the surface but less than 10,000 feet MSL: day, 1 statute mile and 500/1,000/2,000; night, 3 statute miles and 500/1,000/2,000. More than 1,200 feet above the surface and at or above 10,000 feet MSL: 5 statute miles, 1,000 below, 1,000 above, 1 statute mile horizontal.
The 91.155(b) exceptions
Below 1,200 feet above the surface in Class G, paragraph (b) says: a helicopter may operate clear of clouds in an airport traffic pattern within 1/2 mile of the runway or helipad of intended landing if flight visibility is not less than 1/2 statute mile; and an airplane, powered parachute or weight-shift-control aircraft may operate clear of clouds if the visibility is less than 3 statute miles but not less than 1 statute mile during night hours and the aircraft is in an airport traffic pattern within 1/2 mile of the runway.
Worked example
An airplane flies by day 800 feet above the surface in Class G with 2 statute miles of visibility and a cloud 300 feet above. The row is "1,200 feet or less above the surface, day": 1 statute mile, clear of clouds. Both are met. The same flight at night needs 3 statute miles and the 500/1,000/2,000 distances, which 2 miles and 300 feet do not meet, unless the 91.155(b)(2) traffic-pattern exception applies.
Limits of this page
The checker applies the airplane rows only. Helicopter values and the (b) exceptions are described above but not calculated.
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 G airspace by day?
At 1,200 feet or less above the surface, 1 statute mile and clear of clouds for an airplane. Higher up, other rows apply.
What are they at night?
For an airplane, 3 statute miles with 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above and 2,000 feet horizontal, subject to the 91.155(b) exception.
What is the night traffic pattern exception?
In a traffic pattern within 1/2 mile of the runway, an airplane may operate clear of clouds with visibility of at least 1 and less than 3 statute miles.
Which altitude decides the row?
Both: height above the surface (1,200 feet) and MSL altitude (10,000 feet).
Are helicopter minimums different?
Yes. The table gives 1/2 statute mile by day and 1 statute mile at night, clear of clouds, at 1,200 feet or less above the surface.
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).
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.