FAA Ground School Practice Test

What is the appropriate cruising altitude for VFR flight on a magnetic course of 135°?

1. Even thousandths plus 500 ft

2. Odd thousandths plus 500 ft

3. Even thousandths

4. Odd thousandths

The correct answer is: Odd thousandths plus 500 ft

For VFR (Visual Flight Rules) flight, the cruising altitude is determined by the magnetic course of the aircraft. The rule to follow is that when flying below 18,000 feet MSL (Mean Sea Level), the altitudes are assigned based on the magnetic course as follows: - For a magnetic course of 0° to 179° (which includes 135°), pilots should fly at odd altitudes plus 500 feet. This means that if your magnetic course is within this range, you will select an altitude such as 3,500 feet, 5,500 feet, 7,500 feet, etc. The reasoning behind an odd altitude plus 500 is to provide vertical separation between aircraft flying in opposite directions. By flying at odd altitudes plus 500 feet when headed on a magnetic course of 135°, a VFR pilot ensures they are aligning with the FAA guidelines for safe operational airspace, enhancing situational awareness and collision avoidance. Thus, for a magnetic course of 135°, the appropriate cruising altitude is indeed odd thousandths plus 500 feet, in order to adhere to the VFR altitude rules effectively.