Final answer:
Night Enroute Altitude is C) the minimum altitude for safe night flight to avoid obstacles. Like commercial aircraft that follow FAA regulations for separation, it provides a buffer for flight safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term 'Night Enroute Altitude' refers to option C: The minimum altitude at which an aircraft can fly at night without encountering any obstacles. It is a safety measure to prevent collisions with terrain or structures during night flight when visual references are poor. This altitude is established by taking into account the highest obstacles within a certain area and adding a margin of safety.
Commercial airliners, as well as other aircraft, follow flight rules and controlled airspace information to maintain safe altitudes and separation standards.
For example, commercial airplanes must maintain a distance of five miles from another plane at the same altitude and must be 2,000 feet above or below another aircraft. These measures ensure that aircraft have specific positions they can maintain while flying, avoiding collisions and promoting safe navigation.