---
kind: "section"
citation: "14 C.F.R. § 135.203"
title: "14"
number: "135.203"
heading: "VFR: Minimum altitudes."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/14/135.203"
---

# §135.203. VFR: Minimum altitudes.


Except when necessary for takeoff and landing, no person may operate under VFR—

- (a) **An airplane—**
  - (1) During the day, below 500 feet above the surface or less than 500 feet horizontally from any obstacle; or
  - (2) At night, at an altitude less than 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal distance of 5 miles from the course intended to be flown or, in designated mountainous terrain, less than 2,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal distance of 5 miles from the course intended to be flown; or
- (b) **A helicopter over a congested area at an altitude less than 300 feet above the surface.**

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, 41706, 44701-44702, 44705, 44709, 44711-44713, 44715-44717, 44722, 44730, 45101-45105; Pub. L. 112-95, 126 Stat. 58 (49 U.S.C. 44730).

### Source

Source: Docket 16097, 43 FR 46783, Oct. 10, 1978, unless otherwise noted.