Question

You are on an IFR flight from Dothan, AL to Tallahassee, FL. You are cleared direct RRS, V-7, SZW, climb maintain 3000, expect 4000 at OALDY intersection (there are no NOTAMs concerning your route of flight). If commo is lost 2 miles prior to OALDY and you are IMC, what altitudes would you fly for the remainder of the flight?

Answer 1

In case of lost communication on an IFR flight, the pilot should fly the highest of the last ATC-assigned altitude, the minimum required for IFR operations, or the expected altitude from the flight plan after OALDY intersection, which is 4000 feet unless the MEA is higher in a subsequent segment.

Step-by-step explanation:

If communication is lost on an IFR flight, the pilot should follow the regulations as outlined in the AIM (Aeronautical Information Manual) for lost comms procedures. These regulations require the pilot to fly the highest of the following altitudes:

• The altitude assigned in the last ATC clearance before the loss of communication.
• The minimum altitude for IFR operations along the route segment being flown.
• The expected altitude per the filed flight plan or ATC instructions.

Since you were cleared to climb and maintain 3000, but expect 4000 at OALDY intersection, once you reach OALDY, you would climb to 4000 feet and maintain that altitude for the remainder of your flight unless instructed differently by an earlier ATC instruction or unless the minimum enroute altitude (MEA) for a subsequent segment of your route is higher. It is important to consider that if the MEA is higher after OALDY for any segment, then you should climb to and maintain the MEA.