Flight Rules and Flight Plan Handling (IFR/VFR)
Flight rules
VFR requires visual meteorological conditions, cloud clearance and flight visibility minima, and prohibits flight in controlled airspace without a clearance. IFR requires an instrument rating, an IFR flight plan and adherence to clearances. Know the special VFR concept, the conditions for changing from IFR to VFR and back, and the requirement to notify ATC before changing rules.
Flight plans
A flight plan contains aircraft identification, type and wake category, departure and destination, route, level, endurance and persons on board. It must be filed before departure, and ATC must be advised of changes. Know the difference between a filed flight plan and an active one, and the rules for closing a flight plan, especially for VFR flights arriving at uncontrolled aerodromes.
Traps in questions
A frequent trap is the belief that a VFR flight plan guarantees separation. Another is failing to recognize that a change from IFR to VFR requires a report and that the pilot must be able to maintain VMC. Questions also test the contents of the flight plan and the meaning of a "complete flight plan".
Rule of thumb
Use the checklist: rules, route, level, time, fuel, persons, and communications. Worked example: a VFR flight requests to enter a control zone. The controller issues a clearance and provides traffic information, but separation from other VFR traffic is not provided; the pilot remains responsible for see-and-avoid and for maintaining VMC.