FAA Ground School Practice Test

What type of flight operation requires a minimum visibility of 5 miles above 10,000 feet MSL?

1. VFR

2. IFR

3. Special VFR

4. Commercial VFR

The correct answer is: VFR

The requirement for a minimum visibility of 5 miles above 10,000 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL) is pertinent to Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations. Under VFR, pilots are responsible for maintaining clear visual references and navigating by sight rather than relying solely on instruments. The regulation stipulates that when flying at altitudes above 10,000 feet, VFR operations necessitate not only a safe distance from clouds but also specific visibility requirements to ensure pilots can see and avoid other air traffic as well as obstacles. This 5-mile visibility requirement contributes to overall safety, particularly in crowded airspaces or when flying in areas with diverse terrain, as it allows pilots to react appropriately to any potential hazards. On the other hand, regulations for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) or Special VFR operations involve different visibility and cloud clearance standards tailored to flying in less visually accommodating conditions, and typically do not focus on maintaining specific visibility measures above 10,000 feet. Commercial VFR is more about the nature of the flight rather than these specific visibility requirements, as it also adheres to VFR visibility rules, which means it shares the same visibility standards as general VFR operations.