On Wed, 24 Jan 2007 06:24:32 -0800, Sam Spade wrote:

Ron Rosenfeld wrote:


I've not flown extensively in mountainous areas. Are there really many
airways with MEA's below the minimum 91.177 IFR altitudes for flight?

There used to be only one choice for On Top. Fly a Victor Airway at a
compliant VFR altitude, and not less than the MEA. Since MEAs are
almost always at X-thousand, you have to fly higher than that to be at a
VFR altitude.

Now, with RNAV-direct common, you have to fly at, or above, the Center's
MIA at a VFR altitude. This, of course, provided the controller will
give you the MIA. ;-)

As to you providing your own 91.177 altitude that just won't work in
controlled airspace if it is lower than the MIA.

Or are you saying that ATC would not grant the clearance because of radar
coverage/MIA/MVA issues?

MIA issues and often radar coverage.


It seems to me I heard of OTP flights at low altitudes well before GPS/RNAV
was common.

So far as the Victor Airway is concerned, my understanding is that it does
not officially exist below the MEA.

So far as VFR cruising altitudes are concerned, if one is below the MEA,
that may or may not apply, depending on AGL altitude.


Ron (EPM) (N5843Q, Mooney M20E) (CP, ASEL, ASES, IA)