What are the minimum visibility requirements for a VFR flight?

The minimum visibility requirements for a VFR (Visual Flight Rules) flight are essential for safety and allow pilots to navigate visually rather than relying solely on instruments. The correct answer specifies that for VFR flight in Class E airspace, the pilot must maintain a minimum visibility of 3 statute miles and must remain at least 500 feet vertically from clouds, reflecting the necessary clearance to ensure visual reference and reduce the likelihood of collisions with other aircraft or terrain.

This requirement is in place to ensure that pilots have sufficient visual references both for navigation and for avoiding obstacles. Maintaining this distance from clouds is critical because when flying in or near clouds, visibility can drop rapidly, making visual navigation difficult and increasing the risk of entering Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC), where pilots may lose visual reference.

The other options do not accurately represent the regulations established for VFR flight. Factors such as visibility and distance from clouds are governed by specific regulations that help delineate the minimum safe operating conditions under which a pilot can safely operate an aircraft visually. Thus, the selected answer effectively captures the essence of the VFR visibility requirements as outlined by aviation authorities.