VFR
VFR cruising levels (semicircular rule)
- Applies above 3000 ft AMSL (or the applicable transition altitude, if higher) when a cruising level is required.
- Track 000°–179° (magnetic): odd flight level/altitude + 500 ft (e.g. FL035, FL055, 3500 ft, 5500 ft).
- Track 180°–359° (magnetic): even flight level/altitude + 500 ft (e.g. FL045, FL065, 4500 ft, 6500 ft).
- The +500 ft offset from IFR levels is what keeps VFR traffic vertically separated from IFR traffic on the same semicircular scheme.
- Unlike for IFR, compliance with the VFR cruising level table outside controlled airspace is good practice but is not itself mandatory — always follow any ATC instruction or established traffic pattern first.
Source: SERA.5015 / SERA.5025 – Table of cruising levels