The area within how many feet of taxiway centerlines must be kept free of obstacles?

Answer: C — 200 feet

The requirement to keep areas free of obstacles around taxiway centerlines is crucial for maintaining safe operations on airfields. The correct answer, which indicates a distance of 200 feet, is aligned with the established safety standards for airfield design and operations. This space ensures that there are no obstructions that could impede the movement of aircraft along the taxiway, reducing the risk of accidents or incidents during ground operations. This safety buffer helps pilots and ground crews to have a clear and unobstructed view of the taxiway, facilitating better maneuvering and minimizing the potential for collisions. It also accommodates for various factors, such as the wingspan of larger aircraft, that may extend beyond the main body of the aircraft during taxiing. In comparison, the other distances—100 feet, 150 feet, and 250 feet—would either be insufficient to guarantee safety or exceed the necessary clearance, which could divert resources unnecessarily. Therefore, adhering to the 200-foot guideline around taxiway centerlines strikes a critical balance between safety and operational efficiency.