What is the accuracy requirement for a pilot's timepiece?

The accuracy requirement for a pilot's timepiece is ±30 seconds. This standard is significant for several reasons. Precise timing is essential during flight operations for navigation, communications, and coordinating activities related to the aircraft's operation.

A watch that is accurate to within ±30 seconds ensures that the pilot can effectively monitor time-related tasks such as flight planning, fuel calculations, and maintaining scheduled arrival times. While the other options present varying levels of accuracy, they may not meet the regulatory or practical needs of a pilot in operational settings. For instance, a timepiece with an accuracy of just ±1 hour would not be reliable for flying, while ±10 seconds might be unnecessarily strict for general flight operations. Thus, the ±30 seconds specification strikes a balance between reliability and practicality for everyday flying scenarios.