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3 Answers

Altitudes when flying a flight plan

Asked by: 4656 views
Instrument Rating

Suppose I have a flight plan with an assortment of MEAs en route.  When I get a clearance, do I initially get an altitude assignment only for the first segment?

Several questions:

What is supposed to happen if I am approaching a segment with an MEA higher than my current assigned altitude?   Is ATC supposed to tell me at some point to "climb and maintain XXX"?  And, if they don't, do I just call and remind them?

How about when I am approaching my destination, the MEA is lower, and I would like to begin a gradual descent.  Do I wait for ATC to assign a lower altitude, or do I request it when it seems appropriate?

Thanks!

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3 Answers



  1. jeff on Feb 17, 2016

    Since your referencing MEA’s I am going to assume you are on an IFR flight plan. Your initial clearance will normally contain an initial altitude and an altitude to expect in 10 min (for example, cleared xyz, runway heading, climb and maintain 3000, expect 10,000 in 10 min) This is in case of lost comm. Regardless what the MEA is, you would initially climb to and maintain 3000 and if you lost comm after that would remain at 3000 till 10 mins after take off and then climb to 10000. ATC will not clear you to an altitutde below MEA. (See 91.177 for IFR altitudes) Enroute, you maintain whatever altitude you are assigned. The MEA’s would only come into play if you lost comm enroute. This is spelt out in 91.185 and answers the rest of your question. Again, I dont have the controller regs in front of me, but I dont believe they will ever clear you to an altitude below MEA (MOCA if there is one for that segment) You NEVER change altitudes while on an IFR flight plan and talking to ATC without clearance. (Can you say PILOT DEVIATION). Not sure what your flying, but in the jet and jet altitudes, we have to plan descents and sometimes have to shake the controller if they have held us up high longer than makes for a comfortable descent. In the prop plane and lower altitudes, it generaly isnt an issue.

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  2. Parth on Feb 18, 2016

    I am sorry but jeff you are wrong in case of ifr lost comm prosedure. you said if assigned is 3000 for 10 min and expected is 10000 ,\” in case of lost comm you wait at 3000 till 10 min\” its not right.

    Alt you will climb to in case of lost comm will be highest of following.
    M- Minimum Enroute Alt = which might be more or less than assigned
    E- Expected = 10000 ft in this case
    A-Assigned = 3000 ft in this case

    So if you lost comm in first 10 min you will clb to MEA or 3000 whichever is higher to ensure nav coverage as well as clear of obstacle.

    Lower assigned alt is mostly due to busy airspace above but ATC dont want to drag you at alt below MEA for 10 min. SInce you will be squaking 7600 they know you will start your clb to MEA if higher during first 10 min they will clear the airspace on that level.

    After 10 min you will clb to 3000/MEA/10000 whichever is higher….which will be in this case expected 10000 ft.

    So doesnt matter before or after 10 minute you will be alwyas at or above MEA in case of lost comm so you can navigate on your own without getting vectors and stay clear of obstacles with safe margins.

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  3. John D Collins on Feb 18, 2016

    Parth,

    I don’t agree with your interpretation. Anytime an expected altitude is assigned by ATC, they are required to provide a time or a fix where the altitude is to be expected as part of the clearance. If a time or fix is not provided, the pilot should request clarification before accepting the clearance. The expected altitude applies at the expect time or fix and not before.

    Here is what the AIM says about the topic in 6-4-1:

    NOTE−
    The intent of the rule is that a pilot who has experienced two-way radio failure should select the appropriate altitude for the particular route segment being flown and make the necessary altitude adjustments for subsequent route segments. If the pilot received an “expect further clearance” containing a higher altitude to expect at a specified time or fix, maintain the highest of the following altitudes until that time/fix:
    (1) the last assigned altitude; or
    (2) the minimum altitude/flight level for IFR operations.
    Upon reaching the time/fix specified, the pilot should commence climbing to the altitude advised to expect. If the radio failure occurs after the time/fix specified, the altitude to be expected is not applicable and the pilot should maintain an altitude consistent with 1 or 2 above.

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