The only MOCA in Aero Center is described as

The only MOCA in Aero Center is described as

• A. 1000 feet on V535 NE of Sidon
• B. 1500 feet on V535 NE of Sidon
• C. 2500 feet on V535 NE of Sidon
• D. 2000 feet on V535 NE of Sidon

Answer: (D)

MOCA stands for Minimum Obstruction Clearance Altitude. It sets the lowest altitude for an enroute segment that guarantees obstacle clearance along the path, but there are two key nuances: within 5 nautical miles of the VOR that defines the airway, the MOCA ensures 1000 feet of clearance in non-mountainous terrain and 2000 feet in mountainous terrain. It also ensures VOR reception within that 5 NM radius. In this location, the terrain is mountainous, so the MOCA published for the airway V535 NE of Sidon is 2000 feet. That is why the description specifies 2000 feet on V535 NE of Sidon—it reflects the required clearance given the terrain and ties the altitude to the airway segment. The other altitude values would not meet the terrain-based clearance requirements for this segment and thus are not the published MOCA here.

MOCA stands for Minimum Obstruction Clearance Altitude. It sets the lowest altitude for an enroute segment that guarantees obstacle clearance along the path, but there are two key nuances: within 5 nautical miles of the VOR that defines the airway, the MOCA ensures 1000 feet of clearance in non-mountainous terrain and 2000 feet in mountainous terrain. It also ensures VOR reception within that 5 NM radius.

In this location, the terrain is mountainous, so the MOCA published for the airway V535 NE of Sidon is 2000 feet. That is why the description specifies 2000 feet on V535 NE of Sidon—it reflects the required clearance given the terrain and ties the altitude to the airway segment. The other altitude values would not meet the terrain-based clearance requirements for this segment and thus are not the published MOCA here.