Definition
An altitude flown by aircraft operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) above 3,000 feet AGL in level cruise flight, selected according to magnetic course. On a magnetic course of 0° through 179°, the pilot flies at any odd thousand-foot MSL altitude plus 500 feet (e.g., 3,500; 5,500; 7,500). On a magnetic course of 180° through 359°, the pilot flies at any even thousand-foot MSL altitude plus 500 feet (e.g., 4,500; 6,500; 8,500).
Plain English
When flying VFR more than 3,000 feet above the ground in level cruise, you pick your altitude based on the direction you're heading. Eastbound (0–179° magnetic), use odd thousands plus 500. Westbound (180–359° magnetic), use even thousands plus 500.
Context Anchor
Used during VFR cross-country planning and in flight when choosing a level cruise altitude above 3,000 feet above the ground.
Derivation
VFR means visual flight rules: flying by outside visual reference instead of under instrument flight rules. “Cruising” means steady travel after climb and before descent. Together, the phrase points to the altitude used during the steady enroute part of a VFR flight.
Why Pilots Care
Maintains vertical separation from both other VFR traffic and IFR aircraft, reducing mid-air collision risk.
Analogy
It works a little like assigning lanes on a road by direction. Aircraft generally going one way use one set of altitudes, and aircraft generally going the other way use a different set.
Intuition Check
Do not read “cruising altitude” as simply any comfortable altitude for cruise. In this term, it means a rule-based altitude chosen from your direction of travel once you are more than 3,000 feet above the ground.
Example Sentence 1
Heading east on a magnetic course of 090°, the pilot leveled off at a VFR cruising altitude of 7,500 feet.
Example Sentence 2
Eastbound VFR traffic selects odd altitudes plus 500 feet as the cruising altitude to stay clear of opposing traffic.