Ask a CFI – minimum visibility for student pilots

What is the minimum visibility required for a student pilot operating in the airport traffic pattern while in Class G airspace during the daytime?

While the basic VFR weather minimums outlined in § 91.155 specify a minimum flight visibility of 1 statute mile and clear of clouds when 1,200 feet or less above the surface (AGL) in the daytime, the general student pilot limitations of § 61.89 do not permit student pilots to operate with less than 3 miles of flight or surface visibility during daylight hours (5 miles at night); therefore, the answer is 3 miles.

The fact that the student pilot is flying in the traffic pattern is irrelevant in this context; however, for certified pilots, there is an exception to basic VFR weather minimums in Class G airspace that allows a pilot to operate with a minimum of 1 mile of flight visibility in Class G airspace at night as long as the airplane remains within ½ mile of the runway. The standard basic VFR weather minimums at night in Class G airspace are 1 mile of flight visibility, 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above and 2,000 feet horizontally from clouds when below 1,200 AGL.

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Eric Radtke

It was his first airplane trip at age seven that made Eric decide to become a pilot. "While boarding the airplane, a flight attendant noticed my interest in the flight deck and urged me to go talk to the pilot. I give a lot of credit to that pilot for my career choice." He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and went on to an airline career. He learned to fly at Sporty’s as part of the University of Cincinnati’s Professional Pilot Program, an initiative he later directed. He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and went on to an airline career. Eric now manages Sporty’s media network including FlightTrainingCentral.com. In addition, Eric serves as a Captain in a Cincinnati-based corporate flight department.

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