VFR Weather Minimums Reference

Airspace	Flight Visibility	Distance from Clouds	Notes
Class A	N/A	IFR only	No VFR operations permitted above FL180
Class B	3 SM	Clear of clouds	ATC clearance required; SVFR not permitted above 1,200 ft AGL unless authorized
Class C	3 SM	500 ft below 1,000 ft above 2,000 ft horizontal	Two-way radio required; transponder required below 10,000 ft MSL
Class D	3 SM	500 ft below 1,000 ft above 2,000 ft horizontal	Two-way radio required; tower may authorize Special VFR
Class E at/above 10,000 MSL	5 SM	1,000 ft below 1,000 ft above 1 SM horizontal	High-altitude environment; increased visibility required
Class E below 10,000 MSL	3 SM	500 ft below 1,000 ft above 2,000 ft horizontal	Standard controlled airspace rules apply

Altitude / Time	Flight Visibility	Distance from Clouds	Notes
1,200 ft AGL or less Day	1 SM	Clear of clouds	Most lenient VFR minimums in the system
1,200 ft AGL or less Night	3 SM	500 ft below 1,000 ft above 2,000 ft horizontal	Night requires standard cloud separations
Above 1,200 ft AGL Day, below 10,000 MSL	1 SM	500 ft below 1,000 ft above 2,000 ft horizontal	Higher altitude but still Class G — full separations apply
Above 1,200 ft AGL Night, below 10,000 MSL	3 SM	500 ft below 1,000 ft above 2,000 ft horizontal
At or above 10,000 MSL Day or Night	5 SM	1,000 ft below 1,000 ft above 1 SM horizontal	High-altitude rules override the 1,200 ft AGL thresholds

Special VFR (SVFR)

Allows flight in Class B/C/D/E surface areas with as little as 1 SM visibility and clear of clouds, with ATC clearance. Night SVFR requires an instrument rating.

Mode C Veil

Within 30 NM of Class B primary airports, altitude-reporting transponders are required for all aircraft, including those in Class E and G airspace within the veil.

Mountain Obscuration

When mountains are obscured, VFR flight may be conducted only if ceiling is at least 1,000 ft above the highest obstacle within 5 NM of the route.

High Density Traffic Airports

Class B airspace requires a specific ATC clearance to enter — not just contact. Pilots must receive explicit "cleared to enter Class B" from ATC.

Student Pilot Limitations

Student pilots may have additional weather minimums imposed by their CFI, typically higher than FAR 91.155 minimums, as noted in the student's logbook endorsement.

Class G Helicopter (Day)

Helicopters at 1,200 ft AGL or less during the day may fly with 1/2 SM visibility and clear of clouds — the most permissive rule for any aircraft type.