FAA-H-8083-16B Instrument Procedures Handbook

Question 1

Off Route Obstruction Clearance Altitude (OROCA)

Answer 1

• provides 1000 ft buffer obstruction clearance non-mountainous
• provides 2000 ft buffer obstruction clearance mountainous
• within the US only
• does not provide signal coverage from ground-based navaids, ATC coverage or comms

Question 2

Minimum En Route Altitude (MEA)

Answer 2

• lowest published alt between radio fixes that assures signal coverage
• provides buffer of altitude in transitions of 300 feet and 500 feet in controlled areas

Question 3

Minimum Reception Altitude (MRA)

Answer 3

• minimum altitude a navigational signal can be received both on and off route
• higher than the MEA
• lowest altitude an intersection can be determined

Question 4

Minimum Obstruction Clearance Altitude (MOCA)

Answer 4

• min published altitude between fixes, off airways/routes
• provides clearance requirements for entire route segment and signal coverage out to 22NM of a VOR

Question 5

Minimum Crossing Altitude (MCA)

Answer 5

• lowest altitude flown when transiting to a new route that has higher minimums
• provided when obstacles prevent pilots from maintaining obstacle clearance

Question 6

Minimum Vectoring Altitude (MVA)

Answer 6

• used by ATC; provides min of 1000ft of clearance above highest obstacle, 2000 in mountainous terrain

Question 7

Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums (RVSM)

Answer 7

• reduced vert separation between FL290 and FL410 (2000 feet to 1000 feet)
• need specific altimeter to fly in RVSM airspace
• non RVSM aircraft may transit through RVSM airspace at a constant descent or climb; 2000 foot separation provided at all times