What distinguishes VFR flight from IFR flight?

VFR, or Visual Flight Rules, fundamentally distinguishes itself from IFR, or Instrument Flight Rules, primarily based on visual references used for navigation and control. Under VFR, pilots navigate and control the aircraft by referencing landmarks, terrain, and other visual cues outside the cockpit. This reliance on sight is a key characteristic of VFR flight, allowing pilots to maintain orientation and make decisions based on what they can see.

In contrast, IFR pilots operate primarily using instruments in the cockpit, relying on navigation systems and air traffic control guidance particularly in conditions where pilots cannot see the ground, such as flying in clouds, fog, or during night operations. The use of visual references is not a component of IFR flight, which emphasizes the reliance on instruments.

While factors such as daylight limitations and cloud avoidance can influence VFR operations, they do not define the primary distinction between VFR and IFR. VFR flying can occur during daylight or night as long as visual conditions meet regulatory criteria, and while the VFR pilot must avoid certain clouds, the fundamental defining feature remains the use of visual references for flight.