What does the Maximum Elevation Figure (MEF) represent?

The Maximum Elevation Figure (MEF) is a critical element in sectional charts that indicates the highest obstacle in a specific quadrangle, providing pilots with essential information for obstacle avoidance during flight planning and navigation. The MEF is particularly useful in ensuring safety by allowing pilots to determine the minimum altitude they should maintain to avoid potential hazards in that area.

This figure is derived from the highest point within a quadrangle, including terrain and any manmade structures, and it is rounded up to the next 100-foot increment. This allows for a margin of safety above the highest known obstacle, thereby ensuring that pilots do not risk flying into obstacles when operating at or near the MEF altitude.

In contrast, options suggesting minimum required altitude, control altitude, or average terrain height do not accurately reflect the specific purpose or definition of the MEF, which must be distinctly understood to successfully mitigate risks associated with flying in areas with obstacles.