Which statement about MOCA versus MEA is true?

• A. MOCA guarantees signal coverage along the entire route, while MEA does not require signal coverage.
• B. MOCA guarantees reception within 25 miles of a VOR, while MEA guarantees both obstacle clearance and navigational signal coverage along the route.
• C. MOCA has higher obstacle clearance than MEA.
• D. MOCA is only for off-airway routes.

Answer: (B)

MOCA and MEA both define safe altitudes along an en route segment, but they differ in how navigation signals are guaranteed. MOCA (Minimum Obstacle Clearance Altitude) ensures obstacle clearance along the route and guarantees VOR reception only within a limited distance—typically within about 25 nautical miles of the VOR. Beyond that range, you can’t rely on that VOR signal for navigation. MEA (Minimum En Route Altitude), on the other hand, provides obstacle clearance and guarantees navigational signal coverage along the entire route segment, so you can rely on the VOR signals throughout the whole way if you’re flying at or above that altitude. That’s why the statement about MOCA’s limited signal coverage and MEA’s continuous coverage is correct. The other options misstate how MOCA handles coverage or imply relationships (like higher obstacle clearance) that aren’t generally true, and MOCA isn’t limited to off-airway routes.