FAA Aircraft Dispatcher (ADX)Navigation and ATCMedium
An aircraft experiences a two-way radio communications failure while operating IFR in VMC. The last ATC-assigned altitude was 8,000 feet, the MEA for the current route segment is 9,000 feet, and the altitude ATC advised to expect in a further clearance is 10,000 feet. Under 14 CFR 91.185, at what altitude should the pilot fly?
- A10,000 feet, the highest of the three altitudes
- B9,000 feet, the MEA
- C8,000 feet, the last assigned altitude
- DThe pilot should land as soon as practicable regardless of altitude
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 10,000 feet, the highest of the three altitudes
14 CFR 91.185(c)(2) requires flying the highest of: the last assigned altitude, the minimum altitude for IFR operations (MEA), or the altitude ATC has advised to expect. Comparing 8,000, 9,000, and 10,000 feet, the highest is 10,000 feet.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. 9,000 feet (MEA) is not the highest of the three altitudes.
- C. 8,000 feet is the lowest of the three and not selected under the rule.
- D. Landing as soon as practicable applies to IMC lost-comm procedures, not altitude selection.
Lost Comm Altitude (91.185)
When two-way radio communications fail in IFR conditions, the pilot must fly the highest of the last assigned altitude, the MEA, or the altitude expected in a further clearance.
- Applies per route segment
- Compare three altitudes, fly the highest
- Route flown is per assigned, vectored, expected, or filed route in that priority order
Memory trick: MEA, Assigned, Expected — always climb to the HIGHEST