FAA Private Pilot Airplane (PAR)RegulationsMedium
A private pilot is conducting a VFR flight at 8,000 feet MSL over a sparsely populated area where the terrain elevation is 1,500 feet MSL. What is the minimum altitude the pilot must maintain to comply with 14 CFR Part 91.119?
- A1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a 2,000-foot horizontal radius
- B500 feet AGL
- C2,000 feet AGL
- DMaintain an altitude that allows for an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a 2,000-foot horizontal radius
For operations over sparsely populated areas, the minimum safe altitude is 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a 2,000-foot horizontal radius of the aircraft. The terrain elevation is irrelevant to this specific rule, only the highest obstacle.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. 500 feet AGL is the minimum for other than congested or sparsely populated areas.
- C. 2,000 feet AGL is not a standard minimum safe altitude requirement.
- D. This is a general minimum safe altitude requirement, but more specific rules apply for sparsely populated areas.
Minimum Safe Altitudes (Sparsely Populated)
Over sparsely populated areas, aircraft must maintain an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a 2,000-foot horizontal radius of the aircraft.
- This applies to all aircraft operations, except when necessary for takeoff or landing.
- It's about obstacles, not just terrain elevation.
- Different rules apply for congested areas and other areas.
Memory trick: Never go low, unless you're starting or landing, or you'll get a big FAA scolding!