What information must pilots provide when filing a flight plan?

Pilots are required to provide specific details when filing a flight plan to ensure safe and efficient air traffic management. The correct answer emphasizes the necessity of including the flight route, destination, and estimated time of departure in the flight plan.

The flight route gives air traffic control a clear understanding of where the aircraft is intended to travel, which is crucial for maintaining safe separation between aircraft. The destination is essential for ensuring that the aircraft is directed towards the correct airport or landing site, facilitating an organized flow of air traffic, especially near busy airports. The estimated time of departure allows air traffic controllers to manage traffic flow for departures and arrivals effectively, ultimately contributing to airspace safety and efficiency.

In contrast, alternatives that focus solely on limited aspects, such as only the destination and pilot's name, do not provide the comprehensive information needed for air traffic control. Similarly, details like flight elevation, airspeed, the aircraft model, or maintenance history do not fulfill the requirements for a complete flight plan in this context. These specifics are not part of standard flight planning requirements as per regulations concerning flight plans, which prioritize route and timing information for safety and coordination purposes.