By how much will the Minimum Safe Altitude (MSA) be higher than the highest obstacle within 100 NM of the route centerline?

The Minimum Safe Altitude (MSA) is a crucial aspect of aviation safety, especially in terms of navigating airspace with obstacles. The correct choice indicates that the MSA will be established as at least 500 feet higher than the highest obstacle within 100 nautical miles of the route centerline. This altitude buffer is in place to ensure that aircraft can safely navigate through potentially hazardous areas without the risk of colliding with obstacles such as buildings, towers, or terrain.

The 500-foot buffer provides an essential safety margin that is particularly important in mountainous or densely populated regions, where the risk of encountering unexpected obstacles is greater. This additional height helps account for variations in atmospheric conditions, potential errors in altitude reporting, and other factors that could impact the aircraft's performance and navigation.

In the context of the regulatory standards for aviation, adherence to the MSA is vital for all flight operations, particularly during instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions where visibility may be limited. Understanding and applying the correct MSA height helps pilots maintain safe separation from obstacles, contributing to overall flight safety and effectiveness in navigation.