CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 3 - 28
CHART CHALLENGE
Pick the Right Height for Your Flight
CONTINUED
THE OROCA
Now, let's take a look at the Off Route Obstruction Clearance Altitude (OROCA)
shown on an IFR low altitude en route chart.
Click on the accompanying image to expand it and you'll notice that the OROCA is
12,000 feet. That altitude is based on the highest possible elevation including both
terrain and other vertical obstructions in the OROCA's quadrangle. This altitude
guarantees a 1,000-foot obstacle clearance in non-mountainous terrain. But unlike
the MEF, the OROCA also provides a 2,000-foot vertical buffer inside a designated
mountainous area (DMA). In addition, the OROCA is determined by analyzing
obstructions in a four nautical mile area around its quadrangle, offering the same
lateral clearance as an airway should the line of intended flight follow a ticked line
of latitude or longitude. So, it offers great protection for both IFR and VFR pilots-
especially when flying near a charted DMA or flying at night or in marginal weather.
Off Route Obstruction Clearance Altitude
If you want reliable protection from bumping into an obstacle, select a cruise altitude
above the MEF or OROCA. If you have to descend due to weather, make the MEF or
OROCA your minimum cruise altitude and avoid the temptation to go below it. Note
that the MEF and OROCA are listed in msl and ceilings are in agl.
Machteld Smith is an aviation technical writer for the AOPA Air Safety Institute.
She holds a commercial pilot certificate with multiengine, instrument, and seaplane
ratings. She loves flying seaplanes and the adventure of landing on rivers and lakes!
Email: machteld.smith@aopa.org
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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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