If you receive clearance for a contact approach while on an IFR flight plan, what is the first condition you must meet?

The first condition that must be met when you receive clearance for a contact approach during an IFR flight is to maintain flight visibility and reported ground visibility of at least 1 statute mile.

This requirement is crucial because a contact approach allows a pilot to proceed to the airport visually, as opposed to following the standard instrument procedure. In order to safely conduct a contact approach, the pilot must be able to see the airport and have sufficient visibility to navigate visually during the final stages of the flight. Having at least 1 statute mile of visibility ensures that the pilot can identify visual references needed for landing and can safely navigate to the destination.

While considerations such as fuel and maintaining altitude are vital for the overall safety and operational efficiency of the flight, they do not specifically pertain to the immediate conditions required to initiate and perform a contact approach. In this context, the priority is ensuring visual flight conditions are met, which is fundamental to the approach being carried out safely.