What minimum altitude is necessary to vertically clear the obstacle on the southeast side of Winnsboro Airport by 500 ft?

To determine the minimum altitude necessary to vertically clear an obstacle by 500 feet, it's essential to first identify the height of the obstacle itself. If the obstacle's height is known, you simply add 500 feet to that height to establish the minimum altitude needed for safe clearance.

In this scenario, if the minimum altitude provided in answer choice B (1403 ft MSL) is correct, it implies that the height of the obstacle is 903 ft MSL. Adding 500 feet to 903 ft gives you the required clearance height of 1403 ft MSL. The altitude must be set at this level to ensure that an aircraft that is flying at or above this altitude will have a safe margin over the obstacle, maintaining the necessary separation.

Understanding this concept is crucial for pilots and flight planners, as it directly impacts flight safety by ensuring sufficient vertical distance is maintained from potential hazards in the vicinity of an airport or during flight operations.