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Without special VFR, what minimum ceiling lets you fly VFR beneath it in a Class D surface area?

1,000 feet, plus 3 miles visibility to take off or land.

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  1. 500 feet
  2. 3,000 feet
  3. 1,000 feet ✔

Why: Rule 91.155(c) bans VFR flight beneath a ceiling lower than 1,000 feet inside controlled airspace designated to the surface for an airport. Below that, a pilot needs a special VFR clearance.

Huh, didn't know that: The same rule requires at least 3 statute miles of ground visibility to take off, land, or enter the pattern in those surface areas.

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Why are ghosts bad at hiding in clouds? You can see right through them.
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References

Answer: 1,000 feet. Rule 91.155(c) bans VFR flight beneath a ceiling lower than 1,000 feet inside controlled airspace designated to the surface for an airport. Below that, a pilot needs a special VFR clearance.

  1. FAA Aeronautical Information Publication: Basic VFR Weather Minimums www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aip_html/chap3_section_1.html
    beneath the ceiling under VFR within the lateral boundaries of controlled airspace designated to the surface for an airport when the ceiling is less than 1,000 feet.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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