Which are considered minimum IFR altitudes?

Which are considered minimum IFR altitudes?

• A. MEA, MOCA, MVA
• B. Non-IFR altitudes
• C. Only MEA
• D. MSA and MRA

Answer: (A)

Minimum IFR altitudes are the levels that guarantee obstacle clearance and reliable navigation for instrument flight. The minimum enroute altitude provides both obstacle clearance and the ability to receive the required navigational signals along a route. The minimum obstacle clearance altitude serves the same safety purpose for obstacle clearance and also ensures NAVAID reception within 100 miles of the defining facility. The minimum vectoring altitude is used in radar-controlled airspace and guarantees obstacle clearance when ATC is providing radar vectors within the radar coverage area. Non-IFR altitudes are not specific to instrument flight rules, so they’re not the defined minimums for IFR routes. Relying on only one type (for example, only the MEA) misses the other protected categories. MSA and MRA are useful for sector safety and navigation signal reception, respectively, but they aren’t the standard published minimum IFR altitudes for en route or approach segments.

Minimum IFR altitudes are the levels that guarantee obstacle clearance and reliable navigation for instrument flight. The minimum enroute altitude provides both obstacle clearance and the ability to receive the required navigational signals along a route. The minimum obstacle clearance altitude serves the same safety purpose for obstacle clearance and also ensures NAVAID reception within 100 miles of the defining facility. The minimum vectoring altitude is used in radar-controlled airspace and guarantees obstacle clearance when ATC is providing radar vectors within the radar coverage area.

Non-IFR altitudes are not specific to instrument flight rules, so they’re not the defined minimums for IFR routes. Relying on only one type (for example, only the MEA) misses the other protected categories. MSA and MRA are useful for sector safety and navigation signal reception, respectively, but they aren’t the standard published minimum IFR altitudes for en route or approach segments.