VFR cruising altitude

Traffic Pattern Jul 4, 2026

FAR 91.159 and the Cruising Altitude Rule: East Is Odd, West Is Even, and Why the Plus Five Hundred Matters

FAR 91.159 requires VFR pilots flying more than 3,000 feet above the surface to cruise at odd thousands plus 500 feet eastbound, even thousands plus 500 feet westbound.

Pattern

Traffic Pattern Jun 18, 2026

VFR cruising altitudes and the hemispheric rule, east is odd, west is even, the half-circle that keeps you from meeting traffic head-on

Radio Hangar explores VFR cruising altitudes and the hemispheric rule, east is odd, west is even, the half-circle that keeps you from meeting traffic head-on.

Pattern