Cloud Clearance Requirements

[admin]

Okay, I decided to try and ask a question here for open discussion that had nothing to do with joining the army or WOCS/WOFT. I want to kinda get away from all the WOCS questions and start having aviation discussions and this is just a simple question to try and break the ice.

Is there any reference that specifies what type of cloud you have to remain clear of for the cloud clearance requirements in the FAR's and AR's? For example, the basic cloud clearance is 500 feet below clouds, but what if they are few clouds, or broken up ground fog clouds that you can see through? Do the cloud clearance requirements only apply to scattered, broken, or overcast layers?

Again, I am sure someone can answer this easily, but if not then perhaps we can get some discussion going on this topic or others like it.
Thanks,

Rob

[CChambliss]

14CFR91 states the basic cloud clearance requirements. The stated requirement is remain clear of clouds, no cloud type is specified. To take it one step further, basic requirements are 500 ' below, 1,000 ' above, and 2,000' lateral distance. A common question I get from my students is where do these numbers come from?

The Answer: At the time the rule was made, the average performance of then in use aircraft was considered, and it was determined the average aircraft climbed at 1,000pfm and desended at a rate of 500fpm. This provided an aircraft exiting a cloud into VFR conditions would have 1 minute protected flying time to visually acquire and avoid VFR aircraft outside the cloud.

Cliff Chambliss
Safety Officer
Instructor Pilot
Aviation SAfety Counselor
Maxwell AFB Flight Training Center
Maxwell AFB, Al.
_________________
Cliff A. Chambliss

FOR MAXIMUM ATTENTION IT'S HARD TO BEAT A GOOD BIG MISTAKE.