The minimum altitude over congested areas is defined as 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of:

The minimum altitude over congested areas is defined as 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of:

• A. 2,000 ft
• B. 1,000 ft
• C. 5,000 ft
• D. 500 ft

Answer: (A)

Over congested areas you must maintain a safety buffer that ties your altitude to the tallest obstacle within a set horizontal distance. The rule requires you to be at least 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle inside a 2,000-foot horizontal radius. This means your clearance is determined by how tall structures or terrain are within that circle, not just by the ground level. For example, if the tallest obstacle within 2,000 feet is 600 feet high, you’d need to be at least 1,600 feet above the surface. If a taller obstacle exists, your altitude must rise accordingly to keep that 1,000-foot margin above it. Therefore, the radius is 2,000 feet.

Over congested areas you must maintain a safety buffer that ties your altitude to the tallest obstacle within a set horizontal distance. The rule requires you to be at least 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle inside a 2,000-foot horizontal radius. This means your clearance is determined by how tall structures or terrain are within that circle, not just by the ground level. For example, if the tallest obstacle within 2,000 feet is 600 feet high, you’d need to be at least 1,600 feet above the surface. If a taller obstacle exists, your altitude must rise accordingly to keep that 1,000-foot margin above it. Therefore, the radius is 2,000 feet.