What does MEA stand for?

What does MEA stand for?

• A. Minimum En Route Altitude
• B. Maximum En Route Altitude
• C. Minimum IFR Altitude
• D. Maximum IFR Altitude

Answer: (A)

Minimum En Route Altitude is the lowest published altitude on an IFR en route segment that guarantees obstacle clearance along that path and provides reliable navigation signal reception for the route’s navaids. In practice, you fly at or above this altitude to stay safe over terrain and to ensure you can navigate using the VOR/DME or RNAV guidance that defines the segment. This differs from MOCA, which also offers obstacle clearance but only guarantees navigation signal reception within about 100 nautical miles of the guiding VOR; beyond that range, you can’t rely on that signal. The other choices don’t reflect a defined en route altitude for safety and navigation on a route.

Minimum En Route Altitude is the lowest published altitude on an IFR en route segment that guarantees obstacle clearance along that path and provides reliable navigation signal reception for the route’s navaids. In practice, you fly at or above this altitude to stay safe over terrain and to ensure you can navigate using the VOR/DME or RNAV guidance that defines the segment.

This differs from MOCA, which also offers obstacle clearance but only guarantees navigation signal reception within about 100 nautical miles of the guiding VOR; beyond that range, you can’t rely on that signal. The other choices don’t reflect a defined en route altitude for safety and navigation on a route.