In the event of loss of communications, which altitude should be used?

• A. Assigned altitude
• B. Expected altitude
• C. Minimum enroute altitude (MEA)
• D. Highest of Assigned, Expected, and MEA

Answer: (D)

When you lose communications in IFR, you must prioritize safety and ATC’s likely plan. You consider three values: the altitude ATC last assigned to you, the altitude ATC has told you to expect, and the minimum enroute altitude that guarantees obstacle clearance along your path. To stay safe and avoid conflicts with terrain or other traffic, you fly the highest of those three. That way you honor ATC’s intended plan and still meet the required obstacle clearance. For example, if the last assigned altitude is 10,000 feet, the expected altitude is 12,000 feet, and the MEA is 11,500 feet, you would fly 12,000 feet—the highest value.