During a VFR flight, beyond what altitude must a pilot file a flight plan?

The correct answer is based on FAA regulations governing VFR (Visual Flight Rules) operations. Pilots are required to file a flight plan when flying above a certain altitude to ensure safety and accountability. Specifically, a VFR flight plan must be filed above 3,500 feet AGL (Above Ground Level).

This requirement serves several purposes, including enhancing the safety of flight operations by providing air traffic control with a record of the aircraft's intended route, altitude, and timing. It helps ensure that the pilot receives necessary alerts in case of emergencies or deviations from the intended flight path.

Flying at lower altitudes, such as those below 3,500 feet AGL, tends to be common for flight training, agricultural operations, or other low-level activities, which may not necessitate a flight plan. Thus, the regulation emphasizes filing plans at higher altitudes, where airspace can become busier and more complex, particularly near airports or controlled airspace.

The other alternatives do not specify the required altitude for flight plans accurately, as the key threshold is set at 3,500 feet AGL. Therefore, this altitude helps delineate when the filing of a flight plan becomes crucial for safety and air traffic management.