How Can I Remember Airspace Weather Minimums?

Basic VFR Weather Minimums can seem complicated. In fact many private pilot candidates struggle to remember airspace weather. Here is a fresh look at a tool that has helped thousands of pilots pass their written test and check ride.
00:00 Why are we here?
00:44 Where to start?
01:32 The bottom half
02:00 Start filling in the spaces
02:52 Now this is getting good!
03:17 Revisiting the bottom half
04:28 One more thing about Class G
04:59 Complete!
05:26 The Challenge!!
05:51 More information!
Warning: The information provided in this video is for demonstration purposes only. The information and results cannot be used for an actual flight. To plan an actual flight, you will need to use the information in the Pilot’s Operating Handbook, and the other documents associated with the specific airplane you fly.
Reference Links:
Rod Machado’s Private Pilot Handbook
rodmachado.com/products/rod-m...
14 CFR 91.155 - Basic VFR Weather Minimums
www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14...
F-111 Image
nara.getarchive.net/media/lef... Public Domain License Free Image of the F-111 Albatross
Cessna 152 Image
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi... Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository - Image under GNU Free Documentation License
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• Exploring the Go-No-Go...
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Disclaimer:
Some of these links may be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with these links I may receive a small commission. There is no additional cost to you! Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue to provide you with free content!
For other links I don’t receive any products, materials, or money. I just think they’re cool!

[@gobdeep]

PASSED! Sitting in the parking lot right now. As soon as I walked into the test room, I drew the airspace triangle on the scratch sheet of paper. Used it three times during the exam. Thanks so much! 🙌

[@ScottKoonCFI]

CONGRATULATIONS! That is fantastic. I’m glad I could help. You ROCK!!!

[@ElodieCardon-Cole]

Studying for my PPL check ride right now and have been struggling at remembering this information correctly. Thank you for explaining it in a way my brain is actually able to grasp!! I was able to draw about 70% of it from memory for "The Challenge"! Great video

[@ScottKoonCFI]

Excellent! I’m so glad the video was helpful! Best of luck on your check ride!! Let us know how it goes!

[@F111BMATHIS]

I worked on the F-111 Avionics, Flight Controls, Navigation... till they mothballed them. Then went on to F-16's Avionics. Taking the test today, minimums is my weak place! I'm going to memorize this!

[@ScottKoonCFI]

Sweet! Thanks for sharing! Best of luck!!

[@vipervenom741]

Scott this has been a pain in my side since I started ground school. I think your way of explaining things will be my cheat code to get through! Thank you! I also got it on the first try 😁😁

[@ScottKoonCFI]

Excellent!! I’m glad it was helpful. Thank you for the comment!!

[@GOMD77]

Something about the way you explained it helped me click in my head. I nailed this down on first try. Thank you so much

[@ScottKoonCFI]

I am so glad this was helpful! Thank you for the comment! Please share with anyone you think it will help!

[@kene8895]

I did King, Goldseal, and Rod Machado and completed each but opted for the endorsement from Rod Machado because of the absolute crazy thoroughness of the course. I took the test and received my endorsement. When I say thoroughness, I mean it and you will have a lifetime tool to go back to whenever needed. Anyone out there considering the course should know Rod just put out a new Private Pilot Ground School Handbook which is all encompassing for all considering going beyond VFR and it is second to none!

[@ScottKoonCFI]

Awesome! Thanks for the comment!

[@TheDigitalMan2112]

Thank you for this video. I’ve been using it as a reference since the written test. Now I find myself coming back to it for my check ride.

[@ScottKoonCFI]

You are very welcome! I am so glad it has been helpful. Thank you for watching and thanks for the comment!

[@mohamedismail7930]

It take me two time to remember it , thank you for your explanation

[@ScottKoonCFI]

I’m so glad this was helpful! Thanks for sharing!

[@bryantturner97]

Very helpful...thanks for posting!

[@ScottKoonCFI]

You are very welcome! Thank you for watching (and commenting)!

[@ronniethepilot]

Always enjoy your videos.

[@ScottKoonCFI]

Thank you! Glad you enjoy them!!

[@cbav8r]

Love this simplicity. I've incorporated this graphic into my in-flight quick reference guide.

[@ScottKoonCFI]

Thanks Chad. Glad the video was helpful!!

[@ClearedAsFiled]

Great job Scott, thanks....trying to get back to flying after a small pause of 30 yrs....!!!

[@ScottKoonCFI]

Thanks for the comment! Glad to hear you are working on trying to get back into the cockpit. Best of luck and hopefully you’ll find more helpful stuff here!

[@callsignSnowball]

Thank you, Scott, for your videos. I have been going through them for a few weeks now and I find them very helpful. Checkride is Tuesday and this video has really helped to finally lock the VFR weather minimums into my brain. You're a great teacher, keep it up! 👍👍

[@ScottKoonCFI]

@Jenncoutts5115, I am very glad the videos have been helpful! Go out and ROCK that checkride! Let us know how well you do!

[@callsignSnowball]

@@ScottKoonCFI I passed!! 🙌

[@ScottKoonCFI]

AWESOME! Congratulations!! I am honored to have been part of your journey. Onward and upward! Enjoy your new privileges!

[@NNnNNiesss]

Taking my solo this week. Nervous but excited

[@ScottKoonCFI]

That is awesome! Congratulations! Savor the experience! It is an exciting milestone!

[@ehudgavron8061]

That was great. Got the graphics and the labels - Was off on G(Day) and E below 1200... but everything else was perfect after one run through the video. Off to rewatch -- Thanks, Scott!

[@ScottKoonCFI]

Awesome!!! Glad it was helpful!

[@preeminent2228]

Your infectious smile earned a sub!

[@ScottKoonCFI]

Awesome!! Thank you!

[@luckybrockman3303]

Hello Scott, great video! Quick question for you really quick- You claim that there are no VFR flight rules allowed over FL180 around 1:20 in the video, but over 60,000 MSL are there VFR rules? I know this is only applicable to very few pilots I’m only curious out of facetiousness.

[@ScottKoonCFI]

Thank you for the compliment and the question. It is a very interesting question. I’ll start by saying that I don’t know the answer, and a quick internet search didn’t provide any definitive guidance. Having said that, the airspace above FL6000 is class E. So, I suppose if you had an aircraft capable of that type of performance, you could request/create an IFR flight plan to get you through the Class A airspace and then cancel IFR once you are above Class A. Then again, at those altitudes, the separation rules are increased because you are sharing the sky with supersonic and military aircraft. Section 4-5-X of FAA Order JO 7110.65AA - the order that prescribes air traffic control procedures and phraseology for use by personnel providing air traffic control services - notes that when IFR, at or below FL410 2000ft of separation is required. This follows the hemispheric rule we are all familiar with. Above FL410 4000ft is required and both directions (easterly or westerly) use odd cardinal flight levels. Separation is provided by starting at a different base altitude. And above FL600 5000ft is required. So, I suspect at those altitudes even “VFR” would be different. The table 4-5-1 is an interesting read, but doesn’t specifically address VFR. So, thanks again and I’ll throw the question out to the group. Does anyone know the answer? Anyone with experience flying above FL6000 that can help?

[@ronniethepilot]

Did you have any videos on just the Class Echo and Golf? If not can you do a video using your chart or foreflight and just pick different rate as to challenge us to see what’s echo or golf and where does it start

[@ScottKoonCFI]

Hey there Ronnie, I do have “Exploring the Go-No-Go decision” (kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZSrZXprrMSBe8k), and it explores some differences between Class E and Class G. However, your suggestion has me intrigued. After reading your comment, I have several ideas that could make a really good video. I’ll work on them and see what I can come up with. Thank you for the suggestion!!

[@ronniethepilot]

@@ScottKoonCFI awesome thanks

[@rme345753]

Great info, just wish you would leave the triangle up at all times so I can look at it as you talk about it. You're not ugly but just your face talking isn't as good as seeing what you are talking about while you are talking about it. It helps it stick better. Just a little constructive criticism. Thanks again for the good video.

[@ScottKoonCFI]

Thank you for the comment! It is interesting. I have received both extremes. One set of feedback has been they like the fact that this is not just voice-over, while another group, like you, notes they’d like to see more of the graphics and less of me. I’ll take a look and see what I might do to better balance face time and graphic time. Thank you for the feedback!

[@rme345753]

@@ScottKoonCFI Maybe you could split the screen and have both? 🤠

[@ScottKoonCFI]

I’ve been thinking about that or having more over the shoulder graphics (like on the news). Thanks!

[@jcgonzalez-medina7106]

The smile means, it's easy 😅😅😅😅

[@ScottKoonCFI]

Yes! The smile means it’s easy!! Thanks for the comment!!

[@pork_friedrice]

I’m studying for my check ride and find this to be my favorite tool to help me with this subject matter ,however I’m confused about class G airspace in this aid, if G does not exceed 14,500 MSL, why would that altitude not be included in here?

[@ScottKoonCFI]

Thanks for the question. I’m not quite sure what you are asking? Are you asking what is between Class G and Class A? If so, that would be Class E. Over the top of Class G that goes to (but not including) 14,500 MSL, Class E would go from 14,500 to 17,999. I hope this helps.

[@pork_friedrice]

@@ScottKoonCFI Hi Scott, thanks for responding and I should’ve phrased my question better, what I meant was that in your large triangle there are 4 altitudes depicted: Surface 1200 10,000 18,000 If airspace G doesn’t exceed 14,500 that altitude (14,500) should be included right? Otherwise one would assume that it (G) reaches up to 17,999’

[@ScottKoonCFI]

@pork_friedrice Ahhh. Thank you, I think I understand your question better. To answer, I’d say the intention of the triangle is to help remember what the VFR cloud clearance and distance limits are-not to define the boundaries of each of the airspace classes. So, the only altitudes included are those that would impact VFR minimums. If you look at CFR 91.155, the VFR minima at or above 10,000 MSL and more than 1,200 AGL are the same for both Class G and Class E airspaces. The fact that Class G ends at 14,499 doesn’t change that. So we didn’t include the extra line. You are correct that at 14,500 and above you’d no longer be in Class G, but leaving Class G and entering Class E at that altitude doesn’t change the VFR minimums. Having said that, if you’d like to add a line in the top triangle to identify the separation of Class G and Class E above 10,000 MSL, I would definitely encourage you to do so! Whatever makes the tool most helpful to you as you study for both the knowledge test, your check ride, and prepare for future Flight Reviews. I hope this helps. Thanks for the question!

[@pork_friedrice]

@@ScottKoonCFI Thanks again for the comeback and detailed explanation! I’m enrolled in an accelerated program out of the Mesa/Gateway airport and thought you might like to know that some of your videos were being put to good use in the ground school classes🛫

[@ScottKoonCFI]

@pork_friedrice Excellent!! I’m glad they are useful!

[@insolentjaguar]

Good memory neumonic, but the forced "chuckles" seemed a bit much tbh. "Talk, talk, talk, place forced chuckle here to seem relatable and fun"

[@ScottKoonCFI]

Thank you for the comment and feedback!

[@johnsmithh662]

What’s so funny

[@ScottKoonCFI]

I just like what I do! Thanks for the comment!

[@johnsmithh662]

@@ScottKoonCFI lol, you did an excellent job, sir! I appreciate you making it easy!

[@kyliepug753]

Great memory jogger diagram. Thanks for your help! But please….cut out the creepy laughing…..distracting and creepy lol.

[@ScottKoonCFI]

Glad you liked the content. Thanks for the feedback.

[@davesaunders6339]

What is so damn funny that you have to keep giggling for? Just say’n

[@ScottKoonCFI]

I just enjoy what I do!

[@Despiser25]

You needlessly added complexity. I can remember the number five easier than that an F stands for five.

[@ScottKoonCFI]

Thanks for the feedback. It is interesting what works for different folks. I have students that remember the letter better because of the reference to the jet. Please use what works for you, and disregard what doesn’t. Thanks, again.

[@puriphi]

I cant concentrate on what you are saying cause of your fake laughter.. sry

[@ScottKoonCFI]

Hmmm…. Interesting... I was truly enjoying myself during the filming of this video-I was really excited by the material, there were some things happening off-camera that were adding to the enjoyment, and I had some bloopers that occasionally made it difficult to finish some of the thoughts. I’m sorry it came across as insincere. I appreciate the feedback and will keep it in mind for future videos. Thank you.

[@jaredh723]

Damn you’re a lovely person to be around I’m sure.

[@ScottKoonCFI]

Thank you!

[@ScottKoonCFI]

@@jaredh723 Thank you!