What obstacle clearance does MOCA provide in non-mountainous areas?

Minimum Obstacle Clearance Altitude (MOCA) is specifically designed to ensure safe navigation by providing pilots with a certain altitude to maintain adequate clearance over obstacles in non-mountainous areas. The MOCA provides a minimum of 1,000 feet of clearance above the highest obstacle within a 20 nautical mile horizontal radius of the facility. This altitude is essential for ensuring that aircraft remain safely above terrain and obstacles, reducing the risks associated with navigation at lower altitudes.

This altitude requirement is established to improve safety and reliability in flight operations, particularly in environments where terrain and obstacle density might pose a risk during instrument flight rules (IFR) operations. Hence, in non-mountainous areas, the provision of 1,000 feet of obstacle clearance is a critical factor adhered to by flight planning and navigation protocols.