In addition to other preflight actions for a VFR flight away from the vicinity of the departure airport, regulations specifically require the pilot in command to?

• A. verify runway lengths at airports of intended use and the aircraft's takeoff and landing distance data
• B. determine minimum fuel requirements for the flight
• C. determine runway lengths at airports of intended use and the aircraft's takeoff and landing distance data
• D. obtain the pilot's medical certificate

Answer: (C)

Before takeoff, you must be familiar with information that directly affects the flight’s safety and feasibility. For a VFR flight away from the departure airport, the regulations require you to determine the runway lengths at airports of intended use and the aircraft’s takeoff and landing distance data. Knowing these distances lets you assess whether your aircraft can operate safely on the available runways under current weight, density altitude, wind, and obstacle considerations, and helps you decide if alternate plans are needed.

Medical certificate validity is a general requirement for flight, but it isn’t the specific data-focused action highlighted here. Fuel planning is important, but the explicit preflight action emphasized for away-from-departure scenarios centers on runway lengths and takeoff/landing distance data, which directly pertain to performance and safe operation. Takeoff distance covers the runway needed to reach liftoff and clear obstacles, while landing distance covers what’s required to stop within the runway, both of which are essential for sound preflight planning.