What is the ceiling of a V airway?

• A. 5000 ft
• B. 15000 ft
• C. 17000 ft
• D. up to but not including 18000 ft

Answer: (D)

The ceiling of a V airway is the upper limit of its published altitude range. Victor airways are low‑altitude routes designed for IFR navigation and they run from a base of 1,200 feet AGL up to, but not including, 18,000 feet MSL. In other words, you can fly a V airway up to 17,999 feet MSL, but you can’t consider it a V airway above 18,000 feet. That’s why the correct choice is the one that says you’re limited up to but not including 18,000 ft. The other numbers don’t capture the published upper bound of the V airway system.