Flight operations and general operating rules
This domain tests pre-flight responsibility, fuel and oil reserves, minimum safe altitudes, VFR/IFR meteorological minima, and flight plan/ATS requirements.
Pre-flight and fuel
The PIC must ensure the aircraft is airworthy and documents are in order, mass and balance and performance are within limits, weather and notices are checked, and fuel/oil are sufficient. Part 91 reserves are commonly 30 minutes for day VFR and 45 minutes for night VFR/IFR at normal cruising speed; always check the exact rule for the operation and aircraft.
Altitudes and minima
Minimum safe altitude is generally 1000 ft above the highest obstacle within 600 m over a congested area, and 500 ft above the surface elsewhere, with take-off and landing exceptions. VFR meteorological minima depend on airspace class, altitude and day/night. In controlled airspace, a common minimum is 5 km flight visibility with 1000 ft vertical and 2 km horizontal cloud separation. IFR flight requires an instrument rating, suitable equipment and clearance.
Flight plans and ATS
IFR flights require a flight plan. VFR flights in controlled airspace require an ATC clearance; a flight plan may also be required for certain airspace or operations. Two-way radio communication is required in controlled airspace. A clearance is not a substitute for see-and-avoid.
Worked example
A VFR pilot proposes to track 300 ft above a town to stay under cloud. Reasoning: this breaches the minimum safe altitude over a congested area and likely the VFR cloud separation. The lawful options are to climb to VMC and minimum altitude, divert, or cancel the flight.
Traps
Mixing 30- and 45-minute reserves; applying uncontrolled-airspace minima inside controlled airspace; assuming a clearance gives terrain clearance; forgetting oil as well as fuel.