Assign an aircraft on a contact approach an altitude of how many feet at or below other IFR traffic?

• A. 500 ft
• B. 1000 ft at or below other IFR traffic
• C. 2000 ft
• D. 1500 ft

Answer: (B)

On a contact approach, ATC can set your altitude in a way that keeps you separated from other IFR traffic nearby. The standard separation between IFR aircraft is 1,000 feet vertically, so the controller may assign you an altitude that places you about 1,000 feet below the other IFR aircraft’s altitude. This ensures safe vertical spacing as you descend toward the field while another IFR flight is in the vicinity.

The other options don’t fit because 500 feet is below the usual minimum separation, and 1,500 or 2,000 feet would create more separation than typically required for a contact approach in this scenario.