FAA-H-8083-16B Instrument Procedures Handbook

Question 1

Off-Route Obstruction Clearance Altitude (OROCA)

Answer 1

Off-Route Obstruction Clearance Altitude: Provides 1000 ft buffer (2000 ft mountainous) over obstacles when not on a depicted route

• Used primarily for emergencies and SA
• Depicted on IFR LOW chart: large numbers 12^1(example)

Question 2

Minimum En Route Altitude (MEA):

Answer 2

Lowest published altitude between radio fixes that assures acceptable navigational signal coverage and meets obstacle clearance requirements between those fixes.
-Normally provides 300 ft above floor of controlled airspace within transition areas and 500 ft within control areas

Question 3

Minimum Reception Altitude (MRA):

Answer 3

Establishes minimum altitude that the navigation signal can be received for the route and for off-course NAVAID facilities that determine a fix. When the MRA at the fix is higher than MEA, MRA is established for the fix and is the lowest altitude at which an intersection can be determined

Question 4

Minimum Obstruction Clearance Altitude: (MOCA)

Answer 4

Lowest published altitude in effect between fixes on VOR airways, off-airway routes, or route segments that meets obstacle clearance requirements for the entire route segment. Also assures acceptable navigational signal coverage only within 22 NM of a VOR.
- May be computed by adding the required obstacle clearance (ROC) to the controlling obstacle in the primary area or computed using a TERPS chart if in the secondary area. Figure is then rounded to the nearest 100 ft, extra 1000 ft in mountainous in most cases.

Question 5

Minimum Crossing Altitude: (MCA)

Answer 5

Lowest altitude at which the aircraft must cross when proceeding in the direction of a higher minimum enroute IFR altitude. Established when obstacle clearance cannot be maintained during normal climb to higher MEA after passing a point beyond which the higher MEA applies

Question 6

Minimum Vectoring Altitude (MVA):

Answer 6

Provides 1000 ft clearance (2000 ft mountainous) above the highest obstacle in designated areas. MVA may be lower than MEA or MOCAs

Question 7

Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums (RVSM):

Answer 7

Reduction of standard vertical separation between aircraft flying between FL290 and FL410 from 2000 ft to 1000 ft. Aircraft have specifically certified equipment to operate under RVSM

Question 8

What is the purpose of Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums (RVSM)?

Answer 8

RVSM increases the number of A/C that can safely fly in a particular volume of airspace by reducing the spacing

Question 9

Prohibited Areas: What do they represent and how do you identity it?

Answer 9

Established for security reasons or national welfare, do not fly here (prohibited).
- Depicted as a “P” followed by a number (P-123)

Question 10

Restricted Areas: What are they and how do you identify one?

Answer 10

Operations are hazardous to nonparticipating aircraft and is subject to restrictions. Not prohibited, but dangerous. Don’t do it. Bombs and missiles and artillery can be here
- Depicted on charts with an “R” followed by a number (R-5701)

Question 11

Warning Areas: What are they and how do you identify them?

Answer 11

Similar to restricted, but not solely controlled by U.S. Government. Extends from 12 NM outward from the coast. Not prohibited, but can be dangerous to transit without permission. May be over domestic or international waters.
- Depicted as a “W” followed by a number (W-352)

Question 12

Military Operating Area (MOA): What is it and how is it depicted?

Answer 12

Separates military training from IFR traffic, transit may be approved by ATC. VFR can fly in but it’s not a good idea.
- Not numbered but depicted as “Ski MOA”

Question 13

Alert Areas: What are they and what depicts them?

Answer 13

High volume of pilot training or unusual type of aerial activity, everybody is responsible for collision avoidance
- Depicted by an “A” followed by a number (A-402)

Question 14

Military Training Routes (MTR): What are they and what depicts them?

Answer 14

Use by military to maintain proficiency in tactical flying.

Usually below 10,000 ft, speeds exceed 250 knots.

Found on IR or VR routes. Four digit identifiers means no segments above 1500 AGL. Three digit identifiers means at least one segment above 1500 AGL exists

Question 15

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): What are they and how do you identity them?

Answer 15

Temporary Flight Restrictions applied when traffic would endanger or hamper air or ground activities
- Example: Forest fire, flood, football game, presidential operations

• Identified by a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM)

Question 16

Localizer usable range:

Answer 16

• Localizer course is normally 5 degrees wide
• Localizer range is usable out to 18 NM, +/- 10 degrees from the course

Question 17

Glideslope Usable Range

Answer 17

Glideslope range is usable out to 10 NM, +/- 35 degrees from the course

Question 18

What do Outer Markers Identify and how far away?

Answer 18

4-7 NM from the airport to indicate a position at which an aircraft at the appropriate altitude on the course will intercept glidepath

Question 19

What do Middle Markers identity and from how far away?

Answer 19

Middle Marker: About 3500 ft from landing threshold on the centerline indicating approximately 200 ft above TDZE

Question 20

What does inner marker (if installed) identify?

Answer 20

Inner Marker (if installed): Indicates decision height during CAT II ILS approach

Question 21

CAT I, CAT II, CAT III

Answer 21

CAT I - Requires 200 ft DH and at least RVR at least 550 m)
CAT II - Allows DH up to 200 ft and RVR at least 300 m, requires airport, aircraft and aircrew certification
CAT III - Allows for lower for visibility and DH, C allows autolanding