Except as provided by CARs, unless taking off, landing or attempting to land, no person shall fly a helicopter over a built-up area or open air assembly of persons except at an altitude that will permit, in the event of an emergency, the landing of the aircraft without creating a hazard to persons or property on the surface, and such altitude shall not be less than ..... above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of ..... from the aircraft.
Why this is the answer
Under CAR 602.14, a helicopter over a built-up area must be able to land clear in an emergency and, in any case, fly no lower than 1,000 ft above the highest obstacle within a 500-ft horizontal radius. The 1,000-ft/2,000-ft figures are the aeroplane rule, not the helicopter rule.
Reference
CARs 602.14 – Minimum Altitudes and Distances
Question reproduced verbatim from Transport Canada’s PSTAR Study and Reference Guide (TP 11919E). The answer key is Transport Canada’s; the explanation is ours.
A study aid — not a substitute for the official guide, the CARs, or your instructor.