What is a prerequisite condition for performing a contact approach on an IFR flight plan?

To perform a contact approach on an IFR flight plan, it is indeed necessary to be clear of clouds and have at least 1 statute mile visibility. This requirement allows pilots to maintain visual references necessary for the approach while still operating under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).

A contact approach is generally used when the pilot can see the runway environment and is able to navigate visually. The requirement of being clear of clouds ensures that the pilot has a suitable outside reference to continue navigation and landing safely. This approach gives pilots the flexibility to transition from instrumentation to visual flight rules as they approach the airport, enhancing situational awareness.

The other options present conditions that do not fully align with the requirements for a contact approach. For instance, having at least 3 statute miles visibility is more aligned with standard VFR operations rather than the specified conditions for a contact approach. Similarly, being required to be below the cloud layer does not account for the visibility aspect, and operating under VFR conditions is outside the framework of an IFR flight plan, as the contact approach itself is a method of approach permitted under IFR when visibility conditions allow for it.