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VFR cruising altitudes in a cross country flight

Asked by: 2023 views Airspace, FAA Regulations, General Aviation, Student Pilot

I am a student pilot planning a cross country flight that is mostly east bound (0 to 179 degrees). However, for a couple of short segments the magnetic course is westerly (180 to 359 degrees). Do I need to change to even thousand +500 feet for these segments or just fly the overall odd thousand +500 feet?

Would greatly appreciate your clarifications. 

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1 Answers



  1. John Scarry on Jun 11, 2020

    Yes you need to change altitudes. The reason that these altitudes were established is to keep aircraft separated. It also helps you see and avoid other traffic. If you spend a lot of time at the wrong altitude it makes everyone just a little bit less safe.

    §91.159 VFR cruising altitude or flight level.
    Except while holding in a holding pattern of 2 minutes or less, or while turning, each person operating an aircraft under VFR in level cruising flight more than 3,000 feet above the surface shall maintain the appropriate altitude or flight level prescribed below, unless otherwise authorized by ATC:

    The only exceptions I can think of would be if you are deviating for a short time to avoid clouds, TFRs, or restricted areas. Or if the segment is so short that by the time you changed altitude it would be time to return to the original altitude. With a normal climb and descent at 500 fpm it takes 2 minutes to change altitude and another 2 minutes to return. At 120 kts thats a total distance of 8nm where you are at the wrong altitude for your direction of flight.

    If I was deviating for 8-10 nm I’d probably stay at the same altitude, otherwise, I’d change altitudes.

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