Flight Environment

Question 1

MEA

Answer 1

minimum enroute altitude. Guarantees obstruction clearance and probable navigation signal

Question 2

MRA

Answer 2

similar to the MEA, but also guarantees reception from navigation facilities that may be needed to define reporting points/intersections for your airway. Flagged with an R.

Question 3

MOCA

Answer 3

minimum obstruction clearance altitude. Clears obstacles, but may not have navigation signal beyond 22mi from station

Question 4

OROCA/MORA

Answer 4

Off route obstruction clearance altitude (FAA) or Minimum Off Route altitude (Jepp). Similar to the maximum elevation figures (MEFs) shown for quadrangles on VFR charts, but adds 1000 feet of required clearance (2000 in mountainous areas)

Question 5

MAA

Answer 5

Maximum authorized altitude. Any higher and you may pick up another navigation facility that uses the same frequency

Question 6

MCA

Answer 6

minimum crossing altitude. When specified, the MEA change should be completed BEFORE crossing, instead of the usual after. Flagged with an X.

Question 7

MSA

Answer 7

Minimum sector altitude. Provides 1000 feet of obstruction clearance for 25 miles from the indicated facility, unless otherwise specified. Does NOT guarantee communication coverage.

Question 8

MVA

Answer 8

Minimum vectoring attitude. Not published, but it’s the altitude above witch ATC must vector you. Often lower than others.

Question 9

T-Routes

Answer 9

Tango routes. Similar to Victor airways, but use RNAV instead of VHF navaids. Useful for defining additional routes in congested areas to reduce controllers need to issue vectors

Question 10

ODP

Answer 10

optimized descent profile. Sometimes seen on RNAV arrivals charts. Enables you to fly a continuous descent arrival without level segments

Question 11

Vertical navigation planning

Answer 11

Shown on arrival charts to help turbine powered airplanes make more efficient descents from enroute environment

Question 12

STAR Descents

Answer 12

For “descend via,” Follow the altitudes published on the star, with descent at your discretion. If a descent clearance is given, use groundspeed and distance to calculate needed rate of descent.

Question 13

Types of approach transitions

Answer 13

STAR: Standard Terminal Arrival Route. Used to simplify clearances in busy airspace.
Feeder routes: charted route(s) to the IAF
Terminal arrival areas: a volume of air with a radius of 30nm within which you can navigate direct to IAF
Radar vectors: ATC determines

Question 14

Must file an alternate airport when

Answer 14

Forecast at destination at ETA +/- 1 hour is ceiling <2000ft or vis <3sm

Question 15

Weather minimums for alternate airports

Answer 15

Precision approach: 600 / 2
Non-precision: 800 / 2
No instrument approach: VFR conditions below the MEA

Question 16

At what point on a route segment should a pilot change navaids?

Answer 16

Half way between VORs, if no other designation is given. Otherwise, at any course change or at the “Changeover Point” (COP) symbol

Question 17

Standard holding procedure

Answer 17

Right turns, 1 minute legs (1.5 minutes above 14,000msl), <200kias (MHA-6,00msl), <230kias (6,001-14,000msl), <265kias (14,001msl+)

Question 18

Holding: When to start the timer?

Answer 18

Over/Abeam the fix (whichever comes later) or, if unable to identify, at the completion of the outbound turn

Question 19

Vectored across the final approach course?

Answer 19

Shouldn’t happen, unless ATC specifically advises. Query the controller, and do not turn inbound w/o an approach clearance

Question 20

Absence of sky condition and visibility on an ATIS broadcast implies

Answer 20

Better than 5,000 / 5