Which of the following must a pilot maintain during operations within Class E airspace below 1200 ft AGL?

In Class E airspace, the regulations regarding visibility and cloud distance are important for maintaining safe flight operations. Specifically, when operating below 1200 feet AGL, the pilot is required to maintain a minimum horizontal distance of 2000 feet from clouds and a minimum visibility of 1 mile.

The correct answer highlights the requirement to keep 2000 feet from clouds to ensure adequate visual separation and avoid potential collisions with aircraft operating in or near clouds. This standard is crucial because it enhances the pilot's ability to see and avoid other aircraft and terrain, thus promoting safety in areas where visibility might be limited due to cloud cover.

While visibility requirements are also stipulated, the critical regulation for cloud distance in this context is the 2000-foot rule. Therefore, pilots must be vigilant about these cloud clearance criteria, especially in varying weather conditions, to ensure safe navigation within Class E airspace.