What altitude must you maintain while flying over a congested city?

When flying over a congested city, the regulations stipulate that a pilot must maintain an altitude of at least 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal distance of 2,000 feet of the aircraft. This requirement is designed to ensure a safe distance above buildings, towers, and other potential hazards, thereby minimizing the risk to both the aircraft and people on the ground in the event of an emergency or an inadvertent maneuver.

This altitude criterion helps pilots navigate safely while operating in urban environments where the concentration of structures can vary greatly. The requirement to maintain that minimum distance is reflective of safety considerations, ensuring that pilots have sufficient altitude to react and maneuver the aircraft as necessary.

Other choices do not comply with the established guidelines. For instance, the requirement of 2,000 feet, while ensuring clearance, does not take into account proximity to specific obstacles, and flying just above rooftops would not provide an adequate safety margin. The option stating there is no specific altitude requirement contradicts aviation regulations, which clearly define minimum safe altitudes for different types of airspace and environments.