Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Practice Exam

What is required for VFR weather in Class E airspace above 10,000 ft?

1. 3 miles visibility, 500 ft below, 1000 ft above

2. 5 miles visibility, 1000 ft below, 1000 ft above

3. 5 miles visibility, 1000 ft below, 500 ft above

4. 1 mile visibility and Clear of Clouds

The correct answer is: 5 miles visibility, 1000 ft below, 1000 ft above

To operate under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) in Class E airspace above 10,000 feet, specific weather minimums must be met to ensure safe navigation and separation from other aircraft and obstacles. The requirement of 5 miles visibility and cloud clearance of 1,000 feet below, 1,000 feet above, and 1 mile horizontal distance from clouds is designed to provide pilots with a safe margin to maintain visual reference and avoid dangerous situations that could arise from reduced visibility or cloud cover. This standard is in place to prevent collisions and to facilitate a clear view of the surrounding airspace, which is especially crucial as altitude increases and the potential for encountering other air traffic may also rise. Additionally, these requirements help ensure that pilots can maintain situational awareness, which is imperative when operating near clouds and other flight hazards in the busy airspace.