VFR question: Does wx override certain FARs?

[UA-RESURRECTED]

You're on an XC flight flying in a southwesterly direction. Due to the FARs, you're flying at 4500'. You come across clouds in your flight path that are much closer than 500' above you. You have to be 500' below those clouds, so you want to decent to 4000' and continue the flight. You are now illegally flying this XC???

 

[WGP guy]

You're on an XC flight flying in a southwesterly direction. Due to the FARs, you're flying at 4500'. You come across clouds in your flight path that are much closer than 500' above you. You have to be 500' below those clouds, so you want to decent to 4000' and continue the flight. You are now illegally flying this XC???

Depends, how is the ground elevation? If ground elevation is over 1001' then you are legal at 4000. (as best I know)

 

[Magic1872]

The rule to fly at VFR cruising altitudes does not start until 3,000 AGL

 

[nosehair]

Good question. Frequently the cloud layers make it difficult if not impossible to fly the even-odd + 500 altitudes. It becomes a pilot judgement call. I would not fly at a thousand foot level - those are for IFR cruising altitudes, and pilots flying IFR altitudes are less likely to be vigilant about looking outside. Stay at a +500 altitude, if at all possible, but, in any case stay at least 500 below the bases because that is where that IFR airplane is going to descend down on top of you.

 

[PAA744]

FAR vs AIM

Do not misconstrue that the VFR cruising altitudes are part of the FAR (Regulations) - they are not.

The VFR cruising altitudes are part of the AIM (Aeronautical Information Manual - some will say Airman information manual).

I have never come upon an FAR that makes the VFR cruising altitudes a regulation.

I know this is a very minor point - I just point it out to help those that did not know this.

Thanks
-----------------------------------------
Change One - I just learned something.....

14 CFR 91.159 VFR cruising altitude or flight level.

(a) below 18,000 feet MSL

East bound IS odd +500'
West bound IS even +500'
------------------------------------------

I am getting too old for this lol ~~~

 

[midlifeflyer]

Change One - I just learned something.....

****

I am getting too old for this lol ~~~

Hopefully you'll never get too old to learn something and correct yourself.

 

[Guitar rocker]

Just get an IFR clearance and you wont have to worry about a thing....unless ofcourse there are snakes in your plane. If so, take a look back and see if Samuel Jackson is there for yah brother!

 

[FN FAL]

Do not misconstrue that the VFR cruising altitudes are part of the FAR (Regulations) - they are not.

The VFR cruising altitudes are part of the AIM (Aeronautical Information Manual - some will say Airman information manual).

I have never come upon an FAR that makes the VFR cruising altitudes a regulation.

I know this is a very minor point - I just point it out to help those that did not know this.

Thanks
-----------------------------------------
Change One - I just learned something.....

14 CFR 91.159 VFR cruising altitude or flight level.

(a) below 18,000 feet MSL

East bound IS odd +500'
West bound IS even +500'
------------------------------------------

I am getting too old for this lol ~~~

That's cool, because I was thinking about giving up playing solitaire on my laptop for looking out the window and plane spotting.

 

[time builder]

If you're at 4000, and can't safely go down to 2500, I'd bet you're over mountainous terrain and IFR traffic will be cruising at least at 5000 or 6000. And as FN FAL pointed out (sarcastic, but funny), being on an IFR plan doesn't relieve you from scanning for traffic while in VMC.
Don't forget the 180 maneuver, if it doesn't look safe (or legal) turn around.

 

[FN FAL]

If you're at 4000, and can't safely go down to 2500, I'd bet you're over mountainous terrain and IFR traffic will be cruising at least at 5000 or 6000. And as FN FAL pointed out (sarcastic, but funny), being on an IFR plan doesn't relieve you from scanning for traffic while in VMC.
Don't forget the 180 maneuver, if it doesn't look safe (or legal) turn around.

VFR pilots should be especially vigilant when crossing IFR altitudes and ensuring their transponders are squawking altitude and that their aircraft altimeters are set correctly.

I hate to say it, but sometimes the IFR pilot is suffering from open field myopia while doing the weight and balance or while filing out resumes and cover letters. We can't always try hard to look out the window every second of the flight, but we can promise to try.