Navigating aircraft solely by reference to instruments under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) across significant distances requires meticulous preparation. This involves charting a course, considering potential weather challenges, calculating fuel requirements, and adhering to established air traffic control procedures. An example might be a business jet flight from New York to Los Angeles, relying entirely on instruments for navigation due to adverse weather conditions.
Safe and efficient long-distance air travel in all weather conditions depends heavily on this process. It allows pilots to operate in conditions where visual flight would be unsafe or impossible, connecting distant locations and maintaining consistent schedules. Historically, the development of reliable instrumentation and air traffic control systems made this type of flight possible, transforming aviation and enabling more reliable and predictable air travel.