VFR cruising altitude or flight level

In plain English

When cruising more than 3,000 ft above the surface under VFR, pick your altitude by magnetic course: on an easterly course (0°–179°) fly an odd thousand plus 500 ft; on a westerly course (180°–359°) fly an even thousand plus 500 ft.

Key points

• Easterly (0–179°): odd + 500 (3,500, 5,500, 7,500…).
• Westerly (180–359°): even + 500 (4,500, 6,500…).
• Applies only more than 3,000 ft AGL, below 18,000 ft MSL.
• Memory aid: "East is odd."

Common pitfalls

• Using true course instead of magnetic course.
• Forgetting the rule starts above 3,000 ft AGL, not MSL.

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation and consult a CFI.*