Which statement best describes Critical Phases of Flight?

• A. Occurs only during turbulence
• B. Applies only during cruise
• C. Involves all operations below 10k feet excluding taxi, takeoff, landing
• D. Involves all operations below 10k feet with the exception of level cruise including taxi, takeoff, landing

Answer: (D)

Critical Phases of Flight refer to the parts of flight where workload and risk are highest, especially during operations near the ground and during transitions. The standard definition covers all activities below 10,000 feet, with the important exception of level cruise. So everything below 10,000 feet that isn’t in level cruising—such as taxiing, the takeoff roll, climbs, descents, approaches, and other maneuvering—falls into this category. That’s why the statement describing all operations below 10,000 feet except level cruise best captures the concept. The other options misrepresent the scope by focusing on turbulence, limiting to cruising, or excluding phases like taxi, takeoff, and landing that are actually included.