emergency safe altitude


emergency safe altitude (ESA)

Altitudes depicted on approach charts, which provide at least a 1000-ft obstacle clearance in nonmountainous areas and a 2000-ft obstacle clearance in designated mountainous areas within a 100-mile radius of the navigational aid on which the procedure is based. ESA is normally used in military procedures. These altitudes are identified on published procedures as “Emergency Safe Altitudes.”