Question

What is the Hemispheric Rule? How does it apply to aviation VFR cruising altitudes? How is the hemispheric rule used in cross country planning?

James Sullivan
ERAU Pilot

Answer 1

According to: 14 CFR 91.159 - VFR cruising altitude or flight level

"On a magnetic course of 0 degrees through 179 degrees cruise at any odd thousand foot MSL altitude +500 feet; or on a magnetic course of 180 degrees through 359 degrees, cruise at any even thousand foot MSL altitude +500 feet "

Keep in mind these rules only apply when cruising above 3000 feet above ground level.

In layman's terms fly odd plus 500 when heading 0 to 179 degrees magnetic, and fly even plus 500 when heading 180 to 359 degree.

Hope this helped!

Read more: http://cfr.vlex.com/vid/91-vfr-cruising-altitude-flight-level-19562336#ixzz1KPTTW8V4

Comments

when planning a XC, say one is going west for one checkpoint but then east for another check point, do you change altitudes?...and what about on the nav log, do you have to make  2 seperate ones or what?