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2 Answers

MOCA on RNAV SID/ STAR chart

Asked by: 5307 views Airspace, Commercial Pilot, FAA Regulations, General Aviation, Instrument Rating

Why do some of the RNAV SID/STAR chart have MOCA noted along the route even though you will not descend below MEA?

https://www.globalair.com/dtpp/globalair_05461ritaa.pdf

Here is the link for your reference.

Thank you for the help.

Connor.

 

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2 Answers



  1. Skyfox on Nov 02, 2016

    The MOCA is there as a safety altitude. While the SID/STAR is normally flown at the MEAs as described, in the event of serious equipment failure, loss of engine power, or whatever, you as a pilot know by the MOCA that’s provided what minimum altitude you can descend down to on those routes and still maintain safe/required obstacle clearance. That is, you will still maintain 1000′ of clearance above the highest obstacle in non-mountainous areas, and 2000′ of clearance in mountainous areas.

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  2. Mark Kolber on Nov 06, 2016

    Besides, you might well descend below MEA on a SID or STAR in normal flight. They are not really MEAs in the same sense as the en route charts. Plenty of examples if two “MEAs” for the same SID/STAR route and SUD/STA MESs thousands of feet higher than the same route on an en route chart. For example, compare the DRONE arrival into Norfolk, VA (KORF) with the en route chart over the same route from Raleigh VOR. Seems to be more about separation in case of lost comm than about adequate nav signals.

    OTOH, however, I have not (yet) seen a MOCA that was anything other than a defined MOCA.

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