Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, what is the minimum safe altitude required for a pilot to operate an aircraft over congested areas?

• A. An altitude of 1,000 ft above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 ft
• B. An altitude of 2,000 ft AGL
• C. An altitude of 300 ft AGL
• D. An altitude of 2,000 ft above the surface

Answer: (A)

Over congested areas, you must stay at least 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a 2,000-foot horizontal radius. This rule gives a safety margin to clear buildings, towers, and other structures, except when you’re taking off or landing where you’ll follow different procedures. The other numbers don’t match how the altitude is measured: 2,000 feet AGL is not the required clearance; 300 feet AGL is far too low for congested areas; and 2,000 feet above the surface isn’t how the standard is defined because the reference is the height of the highest obstacle, not the ground. So the correct practice is to maintain at least 1,000 feet above the tallest obstacle within 2,000 feet.