FAA Sport Pilot Airplane (SPA)RegulationsHard
A sport pilot is planning a 150-mile day VFR cross-country flight in a light-sport airplane. According to 14 CFR, is the pilot required to file a VFR flight plan with a Flight Service Station or ATC facility before departure?
- AYes, a VFR flight plan is required whenever carrying a passenger
- BYes, but only if the flight will cross a state boundary
- CYes, a VFR flight plan is required for any cross-country flight beyond 50 nautical miles
- DNo, a VFR flight plan is not required by regulation, though it is recommended for search-and-rescue purposes
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. No, a VFR flight plan is not required by regulation, though it is recommended for search-and-rescue purposes
No FAA regulation requires a pilot to file a VFR flight plan, regardless of distance, state boundaries, or passengers. The AIM strongly recommends filing one because it activates search-and-rescue procedures if the pilot fails to close the flight plan or arrive as expected, but it remains optional.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Carrying a passenger does not create a flight plan filing requirement.
- B. Crossing state lines does not trigger a flight plan requirement.
- C. There is no distance-based VFR flight plan requirement in the regulations.
VFR Flight Plan (Optional)
Filing a VFR flight plan is not required by FAA regulation but is strongly recommended for search-and-rescue purposes.
- IFR flight plans ARE required (91.153/91.169); VFR flight plans are not
- AIM recommends filing for flight-following/SAR benefits
- Pilot must remember to close the flight plan upon arrival
Memory trick: 'VFR plan: not the law, but your lifeline if you're lost.'