What is the minimum en route altitude (MEA)?

• A. The altitude for maximum range.
• B. The lowest published altitude between fixes ensuring navigational signal coverage and obstacle clearance.
• C. The altitude to circle to land.
• D. The altitude above which you can cross a fix.

Answer: (B)

The en route minimum altitude is the lowest published altitude between navigation fixes that guarantees both obstacle clearance and reliable reception of the navigation signal along that segment. This means you’ll have enough altitude to clear terrain and obstacles and you’ll still be able to navigate accurately using the chosen NAVAID along the route. The other descriptions don’t fit this concept: one describes an altitude related to maximum range, another to circling minimums for a approach, and another to a crossing altitude, which isn’t a defined en route standard.