Flight Plans: which description applies to VFR and IFR?

Flight Plans: which description applies to VFR and IFR?

• A. VFR not required but encouraged; IFR filed with FAA
• B. VFR mandatory; IFR optional
• C. VFR not used; IFR filed with FAA
• D. VFR filed with FAA; IFR not required

Answer: (A)

Understanding flight plan requirements for VFR vs IFR comes down to what each operation needs from ATC. VFR flights do not require a filed flight plan to operate, though filing a VFR flight plan is encouraged for safety, airspace monitoring, and search-and-rescue coordination. IFR flights, on the other hand, require a filed and activated IFR flight plan with ATC/FAA so controllers can provide separation and assign an appropriate route and altitude. So describing VFR as not required but encouraged, while IFR is filed with the FAA, best matches how these two flight rules are handled. The other descriptions imply VFR is mandatory, or that IFR isn’t required, which isn’t accurate.

Understanding flight plan requirements for VFR vs IFR comes down to what each operation needs from ATC. VFR flights do not require a filed flight plan to operate, though filing a VFR flight plan is encouraged for safety, airspace monitoring, and search-and-rescue coordination. IFR flights, on the other hand, require a filed and activated IFR flight plan with ATC/FAA so controllers can provide separation and assign an appropriate route and altitude.

So describing VFR as not required but encouraged, while IFR is filed with the FAA, best matches how these two flight rules are handled. The other descriptions imply VFR is mandatory, or that IFR isn’t required, which isn’t accurate.