FAA Instrument Flight Instructor (FII)Instrument RegulationsMedium
An aircraft is inbound on a feeder route at 5,000 feet MSL toward an IAF. The feeder route's published minimum altitude is 4,000 feet, and the intermediate segment after the IAF has a published minimum of 3,000 feet. ATC transmits, 'Cleared for the approach,' with no further altitude restriction. What is the lowest altitude to which the pilot may descend while still on the feeder route?
- A4,000 feet, the minimum altitude for the segment currently being flown
- B5,000 feet, the last assigned altitude, until reaching the IAF
- C3,000 feet, the minimum altitude of the next segment
- DThe MDA published for the final approach segment
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 4,000 feet, the minimum altitude for the segment currently being flown
A clearance for the approach authorizes descent to the minimum altitude published for the segment of the approach currently being flown, not to altitudes for segments not yet reached. On the feeder route the minimum is 4,000 feet, so the pilot may descend to that altitude but not directly to 3,000 or the MDA until established on those respective segments.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Descent is authorized once cleared; the pilot need not hold the prior assigned altitude.
- C. That altitude applies to the next segment, not the one currently being flown.
- D. MDA applies only once established on the final approach segment.
Cleared for the Approach — Segment Altitudes
An approach clearance authorizes descent only to the minimum altitude published for the segment currently being flown, progressing segment by segment.
- Descent authority is segment-specific, not immediate to MDA/DA
- Pilot must be established on a segment before using its minimum altitude
- Feeder route, intermediate, and final segments each have their own minimums
- Applies per AIM guidance on approach clearances
Memory trick: 'One segment at a time' — you earn each lower altitude by reaching it.