A pilot loses two-way radio communication while flying at an assigned altitude of 6,000 feet. The MEA for the current route segment is also 6,000 feet, but the MEA for the next segment ahead rises to 8,000 feet. Before the failure, ATC had advised the pilot to expect a climb to 7,000 feet after passing a fix farther along the route. What altitude should the pilot fly upon entering the segment where the MEA becomes 8,000 feet, before reaching the fix associated with the expected climb?
- AClimb to 7,000 feet immediately, since that was the last ATC altitude advisory
- BRemain at 6,000 feet until reaching the fix associated with the expected climb
- CClimb to 8,000 feet upon entering the segment with that MEA, since minimum en route altitude compliance is mandatory
- DDescend to 5,000 feet to remain clear of clouds until radio contact is regained
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Climb to 8,000 feet upon entering the segment with that MEA, since minimum en route altitude compliance is mandatory
14 CFR 91.185(c)(2) requires flying the highest of: the last assigned altitude, the altitude ATC has advised to expect, or the MEA/MOCA for the current route segment. Since the MEA for the new segment (8,000 ft) exceeds both the assigned altitude (6,000 ft) and the expected altitude (7,000 ft, which hasn't yet taken effect), the pilot must climb to 8,000 feet immediately upon entering that segment.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 7,000 feet was only an 'expect' altitude tied to a fix not yet reached, and is lower than the current MEA anyway.
- B. Remaining at 6,000 feet violates the mandatory MEA for the new segment.
- D. Descending below the MEA is unsafe and not authorized by the lost-comm rule.
Lost Comm Altitude — Highest of Three
91.185(c)(2) requires flying the highest of the last assigned altitude, the altitude ATC advised to expect, or the applicable MEA/MOCA, evaluated segment by segment along the route.
- MEA compliance is mandatory even if it exceeds the assigned or expected altitude
- Expected altitudes only take effect at/after the referenced fix
- Pilots must reassess the 'highest of three' comparison for each new route segment
Memory trick: 'Assigned, Expected, MEA — fly the highest, no delay'