FAA Instrument Rating Airplane (IRA)IFR Procedures and ChartsMedium
An en route low-altitude chart shows a Minimum Crossing Altitude (MCA) of 9,000 feet MSL for eastbound traffic at a VOR, while the MEA on the airway segment just prior to that fix is 6,000 feet MSL. A pilot flying eastbound is at 6,000 feet approaching the fix. What altitude must the pilot reach before crossing the fix?
- A9,000 feet MSL
- B7,000 feet MSL
- C6,000 feet MSL
- D8,000 feet MSL
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 9,000 feet MSL
An MCA specifies the minimum altitude required over a fix to provide obstacle clearance for the airway segment beyond that fix, and it overrides a lower preceding MEA. The pilot must climb from 6,000 feet to at least 9,000 feet before crossing the fix, even though the current segment's MEA is lower.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. No published altitude requires stopping the climb at 7,000 feet.
- C. 6,000 is only the MEA for the segment before the fix, not sufficient at the fix itself.
- D. 8,000 feet does not satisfy the charted 9,000-foot MCA requirement.
Minimum Crossing Altitude (MCA)
The lowest altitude at certain fixes that a pilot must cross when proceeding in a specified direction, established to ensure obstacle clearance for the airway segment beyond the fix.
- Depicted with a flag symbol and altitude on en route charts
- Overrides a lower MEA before the fix
- Often used where a steep climb gradient is needed between segments
Memory trick: MCA = 'Must Climb Ahead' of the fix