Can ATC legally descend me below MEA and should I say something?
I was on an airway, they told me to descend because of traffic.
You were IFR?
Here's the guidance from the ATC Handbook:
4−5−6. MINIMUM EN ROUTE ALTITUDES
Except as provided in subparas a and b below, assign altitudes at or above the MEA for the route segment being flown. When a lower MEA for subsequent segments of the route is applicable, issue the lower MEA only after the aircraft is over or past the Fix/NAVAID beyond which the lower MEA applies unless a crossing restriction at or above the higher MEA is issued.
a. An aircraft may be cleared below the MEA but not below the MOCA for the route segment being flown if the altitude assigned is at least 300 feet above the floor of controlled airspace and one of the following conditions are met:
NOTE−
Controllers must be aware that in the event of radio communications failure, a pilot will climb to the MEA for the route segment being flown.
1. Nonradar procedures are used only within 22 miles of a VOR, VORTAC, or TACAN.
2. Radar procedures are used only when an operational advantage is realized and the following actions are taken:
(a) Radar navigational guidance is provided until the aircraft is within 22 miles of the NAVAID, and
(b) Lost communications instructions are issued.
Not sure what happened, if it happens again I'll verify with the controller.
but the MIA in that area is 11,000. so as long as we are able to radar monitor u, we can descend u below the MEA even though u are on the airway.
Or simply using my radar to give you a heading to keep you on the airway if you cant receive the NAVAIDs.
Stupid question and too tired to look it up.
What is MIA?
Minimum IFR Altitude actuallyMinimum Instrument Altitude...Center's equivalent of MVA.
"Radar navigational guidance" is different from "monitoring". Monitoring just means we watch your annoying blip go across our screen. "Radar navigational guidance" is when we actually give u a heading. Usually cuz your lame a$$ equipment can't do what you actually filed you were able to do. i.e. /A or /W. so where in the .65 does it clarify the difference between "radar navigational guidance" and "monitoring"...even though i agree that it is different.And the .65 says you must provide the pilot with "Radar navigational guidance", which strikes me as being different from "monitoring".
because we could get into a pilot deviation situation if u reject an ATC clearance because your high horse can't descend for ego reasons. in that case...cancel IFR and go on your happy way VFR without traffic advisories. heck u have TCAS don't u :laff:There is a distinction between what you can give us and what we can accept. FAR 91.177 makes no allowance for what you suggest
if u reject an ATC clearance because your high horse can't descend for ego reasons. in that case...cancel IFR and go on your happy way VFR without traffic advisories. heck u have TCAS don't u :laff:
"Radar navigational guidance" is different from "monitoring". Monitoring just means we watch your annoying blip go across our screen. "Radar navigational guidance" is when we actually give u a heading. Usually cuz your lame a$$ equipment can't do what you actually filed you were able to do. i.e. /A or /W. so where in the .65 does it clarify the difference between "radar navigational guidance" and "monitoring"...even though i agree that it is different.
anyway, a descent is not a suggestion...it's an ATC clearance. you have to descend or make it known that your are rejecting an ATC clearance when you don't want to do what we tell u to. regardless of what you say here:
because we could get into a pilot deviation situation if u reject an ATC clearance because your high horse can't descend for ego reasons. in that case...cancel IFR and go on your happy way VFR without traffic advisories. heck u have TCAS don't u :laff:
whether ur up there or not, i'm still gonna be down there. ie midshifts there are very few of u up there, yet i'm still here.Are we up here because you're down there? Or are you down there because we're up here?
The other day I was told to descend to an altitude which was 1,000 below MEA. This is in the middle of no where so not close to any controlled airspace.
I don't think I was within 22mi for the MOCA.
Can ATC legally descend me below MEA and should I say something?