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Flying in the clouds in Class G

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Airspace, FAA Regulations, Weather

When flying VFR in Class G airspace, I was told you can legally fly into a cloud because it is uncontrolled airspace?  If that is the case, when do the Basic VFR minimums apply in Class G per § 91.155?

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3 Answers



  1. Mark Kolber on Jul 20, 2020

    You were told incorrectly. What you may have heard and misunderstood is that you can legally fly *IFR* into a cloud in Class G even if you are not on an IFR flight plan. This is technically true although practically speaking, not really relevant in 21st century US except for very few isolated situations.

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  2. Best Answer


    Mark Kolber on Jul 20, 2020

    I did an article on it for IFR Magazine last year.
    https://www.ifr-magazine.com/charts-plates/uncontrolled-ifr/

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  3. John D Collins on Jul 22, 2020

    91.155 applies in class G at an airport with G to the surface. As long as the visibility is 1 SM or greater and one remains clear of clouds, it is a beautiful VFR day. IFR is permitted in that same class G, in the clouds as long as the pilot is IFR qualified.

    If the IFR aircraft is departing, they must have a clearance to enter controlled airspace prior to departure. The IFR clearance applies to class E, and not to class G operation. A pilot was cited with 91.13 careless and reckless by departing into IMC in class G, because he did not have a clearance to enter class E, so he did not violate 91.155.

    On an approach, if the aircraft is cleared for the approach,the descent to the MDA/DA can be conducted into class G airspace and if the 91.175 conditions are met for flight visibility and having the appropriate runway environment items in sight, may continue to a landing or if not execute the missed approach procedure. In cases where the visibility requirement is below 1 SM, the class G airspace is IMC only, otherwise it is both VMC and IMC..

    At one point there was extensive US class G airspace that topped out well above the 1200 AGL, in some cases up to 14500 feet. Now most of that is gone making discussion of IFR at a cruise altitude in class G largely academic. It is technically legal for an IFR rated pilot to fly in class G without a clearance, but without a clearance to enter class E airspace in hand before IFR operation in G airspace, it has been found to be a violation of 91.13. Cruise flight in G would be legal, but it would have to be at or above the local MIA. Approaches from a class G cruise are not permitted below the MIA without the conditions being VMC IAW 91.175 which requires using an approach. In class G, cruise flight above the MIA is governed by a hemispheric rule as specified in 91.179.

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