How do VFR flight rules differ from IFR flight rules?

VFR, or Visual Flight Rules, permit pilots to navigate and operate aircraft primarily by using visual references. This means that pilots flying under VFR are expected to use their eyesight to maintain situational awareness and avoid obstacles, as well as to navigate using landmarks, terrain features, and other visual cues. It is particularly effective in good weather conditions where visibility is clear.

On the other hand, IFR, or Instrument Flight Rules, mandates that pilots operate using instruments and navigational aids because they cannot rely on visual references due to poor visibility, such as in clouds, fog, or at night. Under IFR, pilots use flight instruments for orientation and navigation, which includes relying on systems such as GPS, VOR, and other navigation aids to ensure safe flight.

This crucial difference highlights the conditions under which each set of rules applies. VFR allows for more flexibility and freedom in flight when visibility is adequate, while IFR is essential for safe operation when visual references are limited.