FAA Ground School Practice Test

What visibility and cloud clearance is required for VFR flight in controlled airspace above 1200 ft AGL and below 10,000 ft MSL?

1. 2 miles visibility and 300 ft clearance

2. 3 miles visibility and 500 ft below or 1000 ft above the clouds

3. 4 miles visibility and 600 ft clearance

4. 5 miles visibility and 1000 ft below

The correct answer is: 3 miles visibility and 500 ft below or 1000 ft above the clouds

For VFR (Visual Flight Rules) flight in controlled airspace above 1200 feet AGL (Above Ground Level) and below 10,000 feet MSL (Mean Sea Level), the regulation requires a minimum visibility of 3 miles and specific cloud clearance distances. According to FAA regulations, when flying under these conditions, a pilot must maintain at least 500 feet vertically from the lowest cloud and at least 1,000 feet above the cloud. This particular requirement is designed to ensure that pilots have sufficient visibility to navigate safely while avoiding clouds that could obstruct their line of sight or create spatial disorientation. The specified visibility also helps ensure that pilots can see and avoid other aircraft, as well as any potential obstacles or terrain. Thus, ensuring both adequate visibility and cloud clearance enhances safety during flight operations in controlled airspace. The other options do not conform to these regulatory requirements for visibility and cloud clearance, which is why they are not suitable answers for this question.