A Cloud Band, a Head-On Aircraft and the Semicircular Rule
You plan a VFR flight from an inland aerodrome to the coast, a magnetic track of 272°. Terrain along the route rises to 3,200 ft AMSL, and the minimum safe altitude you have calculated is 4,000 ft. You intend to cruise at 4,500 ft, which keeps you 1,300 ft above the highest terrain. Forecast: cloud base 4,800 ft, tops 5,400 ft, visibility 12 km, isolated cumulus. There is no ATC service and the airspace is Class G. Thirty minutes into the flight you see a band of cloud ahead with bases at about 4,600 ft and tops at 5,400 ft; the cloud extends 15 nm along your track. There is clear air to the left and right, but rising ground beneath. Another VFR aircraft, same altitude, appears head-on and slightly to your right; you both see each other. You are at 4,500 ft with 1 hour 50 minutes of fuel.
1. Is 4,500 ft the correct VFR cruising level for magnetic track 272°? Explain.
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Yes. For VFR, magnetic tracks 180–359 use even thousands plus 500 ft: 2,500, 4,500, 6,500. A track of 272° is in that band, so 4,500 ft is correct. 5,500 ft would be for tracks 000–179.
Being at the correct level does not by itself make the flight legal; you still need VMC and terrain clearance.
2. Can you maintain 4,500 ft through the cloud? What level would you select?
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No. At 4,500 ft the cloud base at 4,600 ft gives only 100 ft vertical clearance, far less than the 1,000 ft required in Class G, and you would enter cloud.
Descending is not a safe fix: 4,000 ft leaves only 800 ft above the 3,200 ft terrain and still less than 1,000 ft below cloud. 5,500 ft is not a correct level for 272°. The next correct level is 6,500 ft; with tops at 5,400 ft it gives 1,100 ft above cloud and good terrain clearance. Climb to 6,500 ft before the cloud, or divert around it; do not scud-run.
3. Who gives way in the head-on encounter, and what action do you take?
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Head-on: both aircraft give way to the right. Turn right, keep the other aircraft in sight, and maintain a predictable path.
Do not turn left or make an abrupt climb or descent without seeing what the other pilot does. If the encounter is not truly head-on but converging, the aircraft with the other on its right gives way.