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  4. Part 91
  5. § 91.155
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14 CFR · Part 91

14 CFR § 91.155

Basic VFR weather minimums.

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Read in Subpart B
Part 91 Contents
  • Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 50-2: Special Flight Rules in the Vicinity of the Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
  • Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 60: Air Traffic Control System Emergency Operation
  • Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 97: Special Operating Rules for the Conduct of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Area Navigation (RNAV) Operations using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in Alaska
  • Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 104: Prohibition Against Certain Flights by Syrian Air Carriers to the United States
  • Subpart A: General
  • Subpart B: Flight Rules
  • Subpart C: Equipment, Instrument, and Certificate Requirements
  • Subpart D: Special Flight Operations
  • Subpart E: Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, and Alterations
  • Subpart F: Large and Turbine-Powered Multiengine Airplanes and Fractional Ownership Program Aircraft
  • Subpart G: Additional Equipment and Operating Requirements for Large and Transport Category Aircraft
  • Subpart H: Foreign Aircraft Operations and Operations of U.S.-Registered Civil Aircraft Outside of the United States; and Rules Governing Persons on Board Such Aircraft
  • Subpart I: Operating Noise Limits
  • Subpart J: Waivers
  • Subpart K: Fractional Ownership Operations
  • Subpart L: Continued Airworthiness and Safety Improvements
  • Subpart M: Special Federal Aviation Regulations
  • Subpart N: Mitsubishi MU-2B Series Special Training, Experience, and Operating Requirements
  • Appendix A to Part 91: Category II Operations: Manual, Instruments, Equipment, and Maintenance
  • Appendix D to Part 91: Airports/Locations: Special Operating Restrictions
  • Appendix E to Part 91: Airplane Flight Recorder Specifications
  • Appendix F to Part 91: Helicopter Flight Recorder Specifications
  • Appendix G to Part 91: Operations in Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) Airspace

In Brief

What It Is

The flight-visibility and distance-from-cloud minimums required to fly VFR, which change with airspace class and altitude.

Why It Matters

These are the numbers every VFR pilot must know cold, and inadvertently busting them — or flying into deteriorating weather — is a common and dangerous violation.

FlightPush summary.

(a)

Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section and § 91.157, no person may operate an aircraft under VFR when the flight visibility is less, or at a distance from clouds that is less, than that prescribed for the corresponding altitude and class of airspace in the following table:

(b)

Class G Airspace. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section, the following operations may be conducted in Class G airspace below 1,200 feet above the surface:

(1)

Helicopter. A helicopter may be operated clear of clouds in an airport traffic pattern within 1/2 mile of the runway or helipad of intended landing if the flight visibility is not less than 1/2 statute mile.

(2)

Airplane, powered parachute, or weight-shift-control aircraft. If the visibility is less than 3 statute miles but not less than 1 statute mile during night hours and you are operating in an airport traffic pattern within 1/2 mile of the runway, you may operate an airplane, powered parachute, or weight-shift-control aircraft clear of clouds.

(c)

Except as provided in § 91.157, no person may operate an aircraft beneath the ceiling under VFR within the lateral boundaries of controlled airspace designated to the surface for an airport when the ceiling is less than 1,000 feet.

(d)

Except as provided in § 91.157 of this part, no person may take off or land an aircraft, or enter the traffic pattern of an airport, under VFR, within the lateral boundaries of the surface areas of Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class E airspace designated for an airport—

(1)

Unless ground visibility at that airport is at least 3 statute miles; or

(2)

If ground visibility is not reported at that airport, unless flight visibility during landing or takeoff, or while operating in the traffic pattern is at least 3 statute miles.

(e)

For the purpose of this section, an aircraft operating at the base altitude of a Class E airspace area is considered to be within the airspace directly below that area.

Referenced By

Interpretations of This Section (4)

  • Lockard, 2016
  • Weiman (Flyer Publications), 2015
  • Baginski, 2012
  • Lloyd, 2008

Advisory Circulars (2)

  • AC 61-134
  • AC 90-48E

Documents that cite this section, found in their catalog metadata or text. Listed by date, not by significance.

Regulations Referenced

14 CFR 91.157

Reflects the eCFR edition current as of July 6, 2026. Retrieved from ecfr.gov on July 17, 2026.

Primary Source

  • Official Source (14 CFR · Part 91)