FAA Ground School Practice Test

What altitude must be maintained while operating at a VFR cruising altitude on a magnetic course of 0° through 179°?

1. Even thousandths plus 500 ft

2. Odd thousandths plus 500 ft

3. 5000 ft

4. 3000 ft

The correct answer is: Odd thousandths plus 500 ft

When operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) at cruising altitudes, pilots must adhere to specific altitude assignments based on their magnetic course to maintain safe vertical separation from other aircraft. For courses measured from 0° to 179°, the regulation states that the correct altitude to maintain is an odd thousand plus 500 feet. This means that a pilot should choose altitudes such as 3,500 feet, 5,500 feet, or 7,500 feet. This practice is intended to minimize the risk of mid-air collisions by ensuring that aircraft flying in opposite directions can maintain vertical separation, thus increasing safety in the airspace. The establishment of odd thousandths for the specified course range is a standardized method formulated by aviation authorities to streamline traffic management and enhance operational safety for VFR pilots. In contrast, the other choices either specify incorrect altitude regulations for the given course range or suggest specific altitudes that don't follow the established VFR cruising altitude rules.