What is the minimum visibility requirement for VFR operations in Class C airspace?

In Class C airspace, the minimum visibility requirement for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations is indeed three statute miles. This regulation is established to ensure that pilots have sufficient visual references to navigate and maintain separation from other aircraft, which is crucial in controlled airspace where greater density of traffic is expected.

The visibility requirement complements the cloud clearance criteria, which also vary according to the airspace classification. In Class C, the combination of the three statute miles of visibility along with the necessary distance from clouds helps to maintain safety standards by ensuring that pilots have adequate sightlines to detect and avoid obstacles or other aircraft.

In contrast to this, other options such as one, two, or five statute miles do not meet the necessary standards for operations in Class C airspace, where the specific conditions for safe VFR operation are established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to protect both the pilot and other airspace users.