---
title: "Obstacle clearance altitude (OCA) or obstacle clearance height (OCH) — EASA Definition · Avioverse"
description: "Annex I — Definitions for terms used in Annexes II to IX, Regulation (EU) No 965/2012: ‘obstacle clearance altitude (OCA) or obstacle clearance height…"
url: "https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/obstacle-clearance-altitude-or-obstacle-clearance-height"
---

# obstacle clearance altitude (OCA) or obstacle clearance height (OCH)

EASA defines “obstacle clearance altitude (OCA) or obstacle clearance height (OCH)” in one regulation. The wording below is reproduced verbatim from the EASA Easy Access Rules, with a link to the paragraph it comes from.

> ‘obstacle clearance altitude (OCA) or obstacle clearance height (OCH)’ means the lowest altitude or the lowest height above the elevation of the relevant runway threshold or the aerodrome elevation, as applicable, used in establishing compliance with the appropriate obstacle clearance criteria;

Annex I — Definitions for terms used in Annexes II to IX · Air Operations · Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · Easy Access Rules, 27 Mar 2026 revision · [Read the article](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/air-ops/definitions/powers-and-recitals#annex-i-definitions-for-terms-used-in-annexes-ii-to-ix)

## Defined in the same article

- [accelerate-stop distance available (ASDA)](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/accelerate-stop-distance-available)
- [acceptable means of compliance (AMC)](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/acceptable-means-of-compliance)
- [acceptance checklist](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/acceptance-checklist)
- [adequate aerodrome](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/adequate-aerodrome)
- [adequate vertiport](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/adequate-vertiport)
- [adult](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/adult)
- [aerodrome operating minima](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aerodrome-operating-minima)
- [aided night vision imaging system (NVIS) flight](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aided-night-vision-imaging-system-flight)