Which of the following is a required element of a VFR flight plan?

A VFR (Visual Flight Rules) flight plan is an essential tool for pilots flying under visual conditions, ensuring safety and organized traffic management. Among the critical elements required for a VFR flight plan, the proposed route and cruising altitude are vital because they allow air traffic control (ATC) to anticipate and manage flight movements effectively, especially in busy airspace. By knowing the planned route, ATC can provide traffic advisories, help prevent mid-air collisions, and facilitate safe separations between aircraft.

The other elements listed, while potentially important for different contexts, are not requirements for filing a VFR flight plan. For instance, while knowing the type of fuel on board is useful for flight planning, it is not specifically required in the VFR flight plan. Similarly, type of aircraft insurance and full aircraft maintenance history are not components of the information typically included in a VFR flight plan. The focus is primarily on the operational details that ensure flight safety and organization, making the proposed route and cruising altitude the correct choice as a required element.