Minimum en route altitude (MEA)

Definitions

• The lowest published altitude between radio fixes that ensures acceptable navigational signal coverage and meets obstacle clearance requirements between those fixes.
• The MEA is the lowest published altitude between radio fixes that assures acceptable navigational signal coverage and meets obstacle clearance requirements between those fixes. The MEA prescribed for a Federal Airway or segment, RNAV low or high route, or other direct route applies to the entire width of the airway, segment, or route between the radio fixes defining the airway, segment, or route.

References

• Instrument Flying Handbook, Federal Aviation Administration, 2014
• Instrument Procedures Handbook, Federal Aviation Administration, 2017