Guidance · AIMAIM effective July 9, 2026
AIM 3-1-5 VFR Cruising Altitudes and Flight Levels
Chapter 3. Airspace · Section 1. General
A reference copy of the official AIM text for study. It is not legal advice or an FAA interpretation; always confirm against the current official source.
(See TBL 3-1-2.)
| If your magnetic course (ground track) is: | And you are more than 3,000 feet above the surface but below 18,000 feet MSL, fly: | And you are above 18,000 feet MSL to FL 290, fly: |
|---|---|---|
0 ∘ to 179 ∘ | Odd thousands MSL, plus 500 feet (3,500 5,500 7,500, etc.) | Odd Flight Levels plus 500 feet (FL 195 FL 215 FL 235, etc.) |
180 ∘ to 359 ∘ | Even thousands MSL, plus 500 feet (4,500 6,500 8,500, etc.) | Even Flight Levels plus 500 feet (FL 185 FL 205 FL 225, etc.) |
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