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2 Answers

Lost Comms on Segment with MAA

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Airspace, Instrument Rating

I thought any segment with an MAA would mean that the MAA is the highest MIA and therefore the altitude we fly in case of lost comms. But it seems that you fly the MEA on the segments that have published MAA.

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2 Answers



  1. John D Collins on Mar 08, 2015

    If your altitude was at or below the MAA, the standard rules would apply IAW 91.185 assigned, or MEA, or expected altitude, whichever is higher and the MAA would not be relevant.

    Part 95.1 defines MAA as:

    The MAA is the highest altitude on an ATS route, or other direct route for which an MEA is designated, at which adequate reception of VOR signals is assured.

    If your route had a segment with an MAA, you were above that altitude, and dependent on VOR for your navigation on the route, you could make an argument that you should descend to the MAA when you reached the segment. That might be similar to encountering a higher MEA along your route, requiring a climb and descent back to the original altitude if the MEA went back down. In other words after the MAA segment was passed, you would resume the higher altitude. I don’t think this case is covered by 91.185.

    I would be interested in Mark K’s comments.

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  2. Kris Kortokrax on Mar 08, 2015

    Or the last altitude assigned, or the last altitude you were told to expect, whichever is the highest.

    Flying higher than MAA would mean that you would not be guaranteed a useable VOR signal.

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