Rules of the Air and VFR Flight Rules
VFR minimum conditions
SERA and ICAO Annex 2 set VFR minima by airspace and altitude. In general, below 10,000 ft AMSL, flight visibility is 5 km and distance from cloud is 1,500 m horizontally and 1,000 ft vertically. At or above 10,000 ft, 8 km visibility applies. VFR is not permitted in Class A airspace. In Classes C and D, VFR requires an ATC clearance. In Class E, VFR does not require a clearance, but the pilot must comply with the rules and accept traffic information.
Cruising levels and height
For VFR, magnetic tracks 000-179 use odd thousands plus 500 ft; tracks 180-359 use even thousands plus 500 ft. Below FL100, the speed limit is 250 kt IAS unless an exemption applies. Minimum height is normally 500 ft above ground or water and 1,000 ft above the highest obstacle in congested areas, with the 150 m distance rule from persons and property.
Worked example
A VFR flight plans a magnetic track of 090° at 4,500 ft. Track 090° lies in 000-179°, so the VFR level should be an odd thousand plus 500 ft: 3,500 ft or 5,500 ft. 4,500 ft is wrong. The pilot selects 3,500 ft if terrain and airspace allow, then checks the altimeter setting and cloud clearance.
Traps
Use magnetic track, not heading or true track. Do not quote the 250 kt limit as applying above FL100. A VFR clearance in Class D is not a terrain clearance. Cloud distance is not the same as visibility. Class A is IFR-only; VFR-on-top is not a standard European PPL privilege.