What must be eliminated before transferring control of an aircraft?

Before transferring control of an aircraft, it is essential to eliminate potential conflict with other aircraft. This ensures that the safety and operational integrity of the flight are maintained during the handover process. If conflicts with other aircraft are not resolved beforehand, it could lead to dangerous situations, including mid-air collisions or unsafe maneuvering. Maintaining situational awareness and ensuring that the airspace is clear is a critical responsibility for pilots and air traffic controllers alike.

Addressing air traffic regulations, flight plan discrepancies, and weather-related issues is also important for safe operations; however, these factors do not specifically relate to the immediate action of safely transferring control. The priority must focus on ensuring that the aircraft is free of imminent risk from other aircraft at the moment of the control transfer, making the elimination of potential conflicts the most crucial step in this process.