What cloud clearance must a pilot maintain in Class C airspace?

In Class C airspace, a pilot must maintain specific cloud clearance requirements to ensure safe separation from clouds and other aircraft. The requirement is to remain 500 feet below clouds, 1,000 feet above clouds, and 2,000 feet horizontally from clouds. This provision is designed to enhance visibility and prevent collisions, fostering safer operations in airspace that may experience more traffic due to nearby airports.

Maintaining these distances helps pilots assess their position relative to cloud formations and ensures that they can operate their aircraft under visual flight rules (VFR), which demand certain visibility and cloud clearance standards. Understanding these criteria is essential for pilots navigating through Class C airspace, as it significantly reduces the risk of inadvertent entry into Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions, where pilots are required to operate solely by instruments.