# VFR Flight Planning

> Essentials of planning a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight.

- **Subject:** 033 — Flight Planning Monitoring
- **Section:** 033-01 — Flight Planning for VFR Flights
- **Topic code:** 033-01-01
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-04-01
- **Author:** Pablo Asensio Martínez
- **HTML version:** https://pilotsyllabus.com/en/flight-planning-monitoring/flight-planning-for-vfr-flights/vfr-navigation-plan/

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## Route Selection

![VFR Sectional Chart](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c1/Chicago_VFR_Sectional_Chart_%28Dubuque_Area%29.png)

When planning a VFR flight, the route must be selected to ensure:
*   **Visual Reference**: Landmarks for navigation (roads, rivers, towns).
*   **Airspace Avoidance**: Staying clear of controlled airspace (unless clearance is obtained) and restricted/prohibited areas.
*   **Terrain Clearance**: Sufficient altitude to clear obstacles by at least 1,000 ft (2,000 ft in mountainous areas).

## Altitude Selection (VFR Cruising Levels)

Cruising altitudes are selected based on the **Magnetic Track**:
*   **000° - 179° (East)**: Odd thousands + 500 ft (e.g., 3,500, 5,500, 7,500).
*   **180° - 359° (West)**: Even thousands + 500 ft (e.g., 4,500, 6,500, 8,500).
*   Usually applies above 3,000 ft AGL.

## Fuel Planning

For VFR flights, fuel MUST include:
1.  **Taxi Fuel**: For start-up and taxi.
2.  **Trip Fuel**: From take-off to landing at destination.
3.  **Contingency Fuel**: Usually 5% of trip fuel or 5 minutes holding.
4.  **Agreed final reserve fuel**: For VFR, usually **30 minutes** (by day) or **45 minutes** (by night) at normal cruising speed.

## Meteorology

VFR flights require specific weather minima (VMC - Visual Meteorological Conditions):
*   **Visibility**: 5 km (typically) below 10,000 ft; 8 km above.
*   **Cloud Distance**: 1,500 m horizontally, 1,000 ft vertically.
*   **Ceiling**: Must allow flight at a safe altitude below clouds.

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Free study notes from pilotsyllabus.com. Not a substitute for training at an approved ATO.