What is the purpose of the Minimum Obstruction Clearance Altitude (MOCA)?

The Minimum Obstruction Clearance Altitude (MOCA) serves a critical purpose in aviation navigation by ensuring that aircraft maintain safe vertical clearance above terrain and obstacles. More specifically, MOCA provides a specific altitude that guarantees at least a 1,000-foot clearance over mountainous terrain and a 500-foot clearance over non-mountainous terrain along a given route segment. This ensures that when pilots adhere to MOCA, they can navigate safely without the risk of colliding with unmarked obstacles such as towers or hills, particularly in areas where the terrain may not be visible.

This altitude consideration is essential for enhancing the safety of flights, particularly in regions where topographical features can pose hazards. While other aspects like radio coverage and performance do matter in different contexts, the primary function of MOCA focuses directly on maintaining obstacle clearance as part of navigational safety protocols.