What is the minimum VFR ceiling for air operations at night?

For night operations under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), the minimum ceiling and visibility requirements are established to ensure safety and maintain required separation from terrain and obstacles. The correct answer reflects that the minimum VFR ceiling for night operations is 3000 feet with a visibility of 16 km.

This higher threshold for both ceiling and visibility during night operations is crucial because, as darkness can significantly reduce a pilot's ability to see and assess spatial orientation, these regulations help maintain an adequate margin for safety. The increased ceiling and visibility requirements are designed to account for the challenges of flying at night, including limited visual references and the potential for increased workload.

The other options suggest lower ceilings or visibility distances that do not meet the necessary safety protocols established for night flying, thereby making them inappropriate for VFR conditions at night.