Outside controlled airspace at altitudes more than 1,200 feet AGL but less than 10,000 feet MSL, the minimum flight visibility for VFR flight at night is

Outside controlled airspace at altitudes more than 1,200 feet AGL but less than 10,000 feet MSL, the minimum flight visibility for VFR flight at night is

• A. 5 miles
• B. 1 mile
• C. 2 miles
• D. 3 miles

Answer: (D)

Being able to fly VFR at night in airspace outside controlled procedures requires more visibility and clear of weather margins than during the day. In the altitude band from 1,200 feet AGL up to 10,000 feet MSL, the minimums for nighttime VFR outside controlled airspace are 3 miles of flight visibility. Along with that visibility, you must maintain cloud clearance: at least 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, and 2,000 feet horizontally from any clouds. This combination helps ensure you have enough time to spot other aircraft and terrain in darkness when ATC separation isn’t providing you with traffic guidance. So, the correct minimum visibility is 3 miles, paired with the specified cloud-distance requirements. The 1-mile or 2-mile figures would apply to other conditions (such as daylight or different airspace), but not to nighttime VFR in this specific unfacilitated airspace.

Being able to fly VFR at night in airspace outside controlled procedures requires more visibility and clear of weather margins than during the day. In the altitude band from 1,200 feet AGL up to 10,000 feet MSL, the minimums for nighttime VFR outside controlled airspace are 3 miles of flight visibility. Along with that visibility, you must maintain cloud clearance: at least 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, and 2,000 feet horizontally from any clouds. This combination helps ensure you have enough time to spot other aircraft and terrain in darkness when ATC separation isn’t providing you with traffic guidance.

So, the correct minimum visibility is 3 miles, paired with the specified cloud-distance requirements. The 1-mile or 2-mile figures would apply to other conditions (such as daylight or different airspace), but not to nighttime VFR in this specific unfacilitated airspace.