Federal Aviation Regulations Practice Test

What altitude must each person operating an aircraft maintain while on a magnetic course of 0° through 179°?

1. An odd-thousand plus 500-foot altitude

2. An even-thousand plus 500-foot altitude

3. Any altitude below 10,000 feet

4. Flight level above 18,000 feet

The correct answer is: An odd-thousand plus 500-foot altitude

When operating an aircraft on a magnetic course of 0° through 179°, the correct altitude to maintain is an odd-thousand feet plus 500 feet. This is in accordance with the vertical separation rules provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and is part of the rules of VFR cruising altitudes. This regulation is designed to ensure safe vertical separation between aircraft flying in the same or similar airspace. Specifically, the rule states that aircraft flying on courses between 0° and 179° should fly at odd altitudes (such as 3,500, 5,500, 7,500, etc.) plus an additional 500 feet. This additional buffer helps to provide spacing and minimizes the risk of mid-air collisions, particularly in areas where there could be overlapping flight paths. In contrast, the other options do not adhere to these established guidelines for cruising altitudes. Even-thousand plus 500-foot altitudes are specifically designated for courses of 180° through 359°, which would not be applicable here. Similarly, stating "any altitude below 10,000 feet" doesn’t provide the specificity needed for safe operation in controlled airspace. Lastly, flight levels above 18,000 feet fall under a different