(1) On a magnetic course of zero degrees through 179 degrees, any odd thousand foot MSL altitude + 500 feet (such as 3,500, 5,500, or 7,500); or (2) On a magnetic course of 180 degrees through 359 degrees, any even thousand foot MSL altitude + 500 feet (such as 4,500, 6,500, or 8,500).
(1) On a magnetic course of zero degrees through 179 degrees, any odd thousand foot MSL altitude + 500 feet (such as 3,500, 5,500, or 7,500); or (2) On a magnetic course of 180 degrees through 359 degrees, any even thousand foot MSL altitude + 500 feet (such as 4,500, 6,500, or 8,500).
Climb to a higher minimum IFR altitude shall begin immediately after passing the point beyond which that minimum altitude applies, except that when ground obstructions intervene, the point beyond which that higher minimum altitude applies shall be crossed at or above the applicable MCA. The following state regulations pages link to this page.
§ 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:
Before beginning any flight under IFR, the pilot-in-command must become familiar with all available information concerning that flight including: the runway lengths at airports of intended use, and the aircraft's takeoff and landing data.
An aircraft must maintain an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open air assembly of persons.
Each person operating an aircraft under IFR in level cruising flight in controlled airspace shall maintain the altitude or flight level assigned that aircraft by ATC. However, if the ATC clearance assigns “VFR conditions on-top,” that person shall maintain an altitude or flight level as prescribed by § 91.159.
First, you only need to comply with the VFR cruising altitudes if you are flying more than 3,000 feet above ground level (agl). Below 3,000 feet agl, you are not required to follow the altitude rule (although it's a good idea) and neither are other aircraft.
1,000 feet aboveThe Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 91.119 indicates that, except when necessary for departure or landing, the minimum altitude over urban areas is 1,000 feet above ground level (AGL) and 500 feet AGL over rural areas.
Except when necessary for take-off or landing, or except when authorized by the CAA, an IFR flight shall be flown at a level that is at least 1000FT above the highest obstacle located within 8KM of the estimated position of the aircraft.
§ 91.177 Minimum altitudes for IFR operations. (ii) In any other case, an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal distance of 4 nautical miles from the course to be flown.
Myth: The easiest way to get around thunderstorms is to fly over it. Actually, in many cases, this is impossible to do. The strongest thunderstorms can climb 50,000 to 60,000 feet. That's well above the typical cruising altitude of 35,000 feet.
VFR‐ON‐TOP CRUISING LEVELS FOR YOUR DIRECTION OF FLIGHT ARE: more than 3,000 feet above the surface to FL 180: ODD/EVEN ALTITUDES/FLIGHT LEVELS PLUS FIVE HUNDRED FEET.
An aircraft can legally fly as low as 500ft above the ground & if in sparsely populated areas or over water there is no minimum height limit but must remain at least 500 feet from any vessel, structure, or person. Aircraft can also fly lower than 500ft when landing and taking off.
Class E airspace has a ceiling of one thousand feet. Private pilots, however, are permitted to fly in every airspace class except for Class A, which requires an instrument rating. Private pilots who do have an instrument rating, however, are allowed to fly in Class A, but they cannot exceed 18,000 feet in altitude.
If someone is flying drones in controlled areas above 400 feet, the FAA can suspend or remove any type of pilot's authorization.
It is recommended that stalls be practiced at an altitude that allows recovery no lower than 1,500 feet AGL for single-engine airplanes, or higher if recommended by the AFM/POH. Losing altitude during recovery from a stall is to be expected.