CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - 27
CHART CHALLENGE
Pick the Right Height for Your Flight
BY MACHTELD SMITH
I LIKE TO USE THE HIGHEST OBSTACLE ALTITUDE INFORMATION WHEN PLANNING
A CROSS-COUNTRY ROUTE. That information is charted on both VFR and IFR
aeronautical charts and is super helpful to get you from point A to point B with room
below to spare.
THE MEF
First, let's see what obstacle protection the Maximum Elevation Figure (MEF) on
VFR sectional charts offers: It represents the highest elevation within a quadrant
area, including terrain, towers, trees, and other vertical obstacles. The MEF is
determined by rounding the highest elevation or obstruction height within the
latitude and longitude quadrangles to the next 100-foot level. These altitudes are
then adjusted upward between 100 to 300 feet.
Click on the accompanying image to expand it and you'll notice the MEF is 9,700 feet
mean sea level (msl). The highest peak within this quadrangle is 9,396 feet msl. But
beware, in some cases the MEF can provide as little as 101 feet of obstacle clearance.
Maximum Elevation Figure
Minimum Safe Altitude Warning (MSAW)
When ATC receives an MSAW they must pass it along to the pilot flying at unsafe altitudes on an IFR flight plan. However, if the aircraft is out of radio range or at low
altitude, the pilot may not become aware of the warning. VFR pilots must be receiving flight following in order to take advantage of this service.
But be vigilant and maintain situational awareness at all times regardless if ATC monitors your flight. What Went Wrong: A Momentary Lapse reviews a deadly
accident that happened when the pilot who might have relied on it did not receive a minimum safe altitude warning.
(continued on the next page)
https://nxt-staging-books.s3.amazonaws.com/nxtbooks/aopa/cfi_vol12issue3/src/docs/Chart_Challenge_MEF.jpg
https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2021/august/pilot/what-went-wrong-momentary-lapse
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3
CFItoCFI Newsletter—Vol. 12, Issue 3
CFI Notes
Letters
From the Editor: Collisions Avoidance—Use Technology to Your Advantage
You're Behind the Airplane—What Does This Mean?
Safety Webinars: Hone Your Skills—Be Well-Informed
ASI Message: Analyzing Midairs
CFI News
CFI Tips: Terrain Tips for Flatlanders
Checkride Checklist: DPE Answers for Students and CFIs
Practical Advice: Avoid Mishaps—Keep Your Pocket Book Happy
Chart Challenge: Pick the Right Height for Your Flight
CFI's Point of View: Two vs One—Is a Two-Pilot Crew Safer than Single-Pilot Operations?
There I Was…: Miracle on Mount St.Helens
You Can Fly: AOPA Flight Training Advantage—In Flight and On the Ground
Safety Quiz: Radio Communication
CFI Tools: Where Am I? Where Am I going?
Chief's Corner: A Cool Job!
Ask ATC: Can ATC Declare an Emergency for You?
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - CFItoCFI Newsletter—Vol. 12, Issue 3
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - CFI Notes
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - Letters
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - 4
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - From the Editor: Collisions Avoidance—Use Technology to Your Advantage
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - 6
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - You're Behind the Airplane—What Does This Mean?
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - 8
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - 9
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - 10
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - Safety Webinars: Hone Your Skills—Be Well-Informed
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - ASI Message: Analyzing Midairs
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - 13
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - CFI News
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - 15
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - 16
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - 17
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - CFI Tips: Terrain Tips for Flatlanders
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - 19
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - 20
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - 21
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - Checkride Checklist: DPE Answers for Students and CFIs
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - 23
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - Practical Advice: Avoid Mishaps—Keep Your Pocket Book Happy
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - 25
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - 26
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - Chart Challenge: Pick the Right Height for Your Flight
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - 28
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - CFI's Point of View: Two vs One—Is a Two-Pilot Crew Safer than Single-Pilot Operations?
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - 30
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - There I Was…: Miracle on Mount St.Helens
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - 32
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - You Can Fly: AOPA Flight Training Advantage—In Flight and On the Ground
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - Safety Quiz: Radio Communication
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - CFI Tools: Where Am I? Where Am I going?
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - 36
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - 37
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - Chief's Corner: A Cool Job!
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - 39
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - 40
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - Ask ATC: Can ATC Declare an Emergency for You?
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