The daylight visibility and cloud clearance requirements to operate VFR over Sandpoint Airport at 1200 feet AGL are

The daylight visibility and cloud clearance requirements to operate VFR over Sandpoint Airport at 1200 feet AGL are

• A. 5 miles and 1000 feet above, 500 feet below, and 2000 feet horizontally from each cloud
• B. 3 miles and 1000 feet above, 500 feet below, and 2000 feet horizontally from each cloud
• C. 3 miles and 1000 feet above, 1000 feet below, 2000 feet horizontally
• D. 3 miles and 1000 feet above, 500 feet below, 3000 feet horizontally

Answer: (B)

The key idea is the VFR minimums for controlled airspace that begins at 1200 feet AGL. In that airspace, daytime VFR requires 3 miles of visibility and cloud clearance of 1000 feet above, 500 feet below, and 2000 feet horizontally from any cloud. At 1200 feet AGL you’re within this standard VFR set, so you must have at least 3 miles visibility and stay clear of clouds by those distances. That’s why the correct choice lists 3 miles of visibility with 1000 feet above, 500 feet below, and 2000 feet horizontally from clouds. The other options don’t fit because they specify either too much visibility, or the wrong vertical clearance (1000 feet below instead of 500), or a 3000-foot horizontal distance which isn’t the standard requirement for this airspace.

The key idea is the VFR minimums for controlled airspace that begins at 1200 feet AGL. In that airspace, daytime VFR requires 3 miles of visibility and cloud clearance of 1000 feet above, 500 feet below, and 2000 feet horizontally from any cloud. At 1200 feet AGL you’re within this standard VFR set, so you must have at least 3 miles visibility and stay clear of clouds by those distances.

That’s why the correct choice lists 3 miles of visibility with 1000 feet above, 500 feet below, and 2000 feet horizontally from clouds. The other options don’t fit because they specify either too much visibility, or the wrong vertical clearance (1000 feet below instead of 500), or a 3000-foot horizontal distance which isn’t the standard requirement for this airspace.