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4 Answers

Altitude separation from airspace

Asked by: 3208 views Airspace, FAA Regulations, Flight Instructor, General Aviation, Private Pilot, Student Pilot

My instructor told me to always have at least 500ft clearance when flying over or below an airspace. If there is a VFR corridor between the Class B from 3300 to 4700, am I allowed to fly at 4000 even though that isn't a proper VFR cruise altitude? 4500 only gives me 200ft separation from the Class B.

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4 Answers



  1. John D Collins on Jul 09, 2015

    91.159 describes VFR cruising altitudes. These should be used unless you are instructed to the contrary by ATC.

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  2. Jqlevy on Jul 09, 2015

    So the 500ft separation isn’t too important then?

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  3. John D Collins on Jul 09, 2015

    ATC knows where the VFR corridor is located and will see you on radar. They will keep Class B traffic vertically separated from aircraft flying in the corridor by at least 500 feet vertically. They won’t separate you from opposite direction traffic that follows the instructors recommendation and also uses 4000 feet. If 91.159 is followed, aircraft flying a MC 0-179 degrees will be at 3500 and a MC 180-359 at 4500.

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  4. Ernest Ortner on Jul 09, 2015

    I believe VFR corridors are far and few between these days. Now VFR flyways are still alive and well and are depicted on the backside of some TAC charts to be eventually included on all TAC charts. Those are going to depict the altitude you should fly while on those flyways. FAA has a little info on it and the AIM (3-5-5 Published VFR Routes) has good info too.

    FAA info
    https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/ProductInfoSheets/PISheets/VFR-Flyway-Planning-Charts.pdf

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