FAA Sport Pilot Airplane (SPA)RegulationsEasy
A sport pilot is planning a low-altitude scenic flight over a small town. Per 14 CFR 91.119, what is the minimum altitude requirement over this congested area?
- A1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft
- B1,000 feet above ground level anywhere over land
- C2,000 feet above ground level regardless of obstacles
- D500 feet above the surface
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft
14 CFR 91.119(b) requires that over congested areas of a city, town, or settlement, or over an open-air assembly of persons, an aircraft must be flown at an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. The rule specifies obstacle clearance, not a flat AGL number, and applies specifically to congested areas.
- C. 2,000 feet is not the standard; the rule is 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within 2,000 feet horizontally.
- D. 500 feet AGL is the minimum only over non-congested areas, not congested ones.
Minimum Safe Altitudes (91.119)
Regulation specifying minimum altitudes for different surface conditions to ensure safety in an emergency landing.
- Congested areas: 1,000 ft above highest obstacle within 2,000 ft radius
- Other than congested: 500 ft above surface
- Sparsely populated/open water: 500 ft from any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure
Memory trick: 'Cities need 1,000 over the tallest, open land just 500.'