Which of the following should a pilot do regardless of ATC instructions?

Ensuring personal safety through visual checks is paramount for a pilot. Regardless of Air Traffic Control (ATC) instructions, a pilot has the ultimate responsibility for the safe operation of the aircraft. Visual checks help confirm the aircraft's surroundings, detect potential hazards, and ensure that the operating environment is clear before making critical decisions such as taxiing, taking off, or landing.

While trusting ATC is important, it should not be absolute, as it does not replace a pilot's own situational awareness and responsibility to maintain safety. Asking for clarification on all instructions could lead to communication overload or delays in critical situations, and while notifying others of intentions is essential, it does not substitute for the necessary visual assessments and checks that should always be performed to ensure safety during flight operations. The priority of visual checks aligns with a pilot’s primary duty to operate the aircraft safely and effectively.