In daylight conditions, what vertical clearance must be maintained when flying in controlled airspace between 1,200 AGL and 10,000 MSL?

• A. 500 feet below and 1,000 feet above the clouds
• B. 700 feet below and 1,500 feet above the clouds
• C. 1,000 feet below and 2,000 feet above the clouds
• D. 0 feet below and 1,000 feet above the clouds

Answer: (A)

In Class E airspace from 1,200 AGL to 10,000 MSL, VFR flight requires specific cloud clearance to keep you safely apart from weather. The standard arrangement is to stay 500 feet below the clouds and 1,000 feet above them, with 2,000 feet of horizontal separation and at least 3 miles of visibility. This mid-altitude band is designed so you have enough vertical and lateral margin to see and avoid weather, regardless of daylight. Therefore, the needed vertical clearance is 500 feet below and 1,000 feet above the clouds. Other options propose different distances that don’t match these established minima.