OROCA

[qflyer]

I was reading through the Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8261-1) and got to the section on OROCAs, and I'm a bit confused...any clarification would be greatly appreciated!

An off-route obstacle clearance altitude
(OROCA) is an off-route altitude that provides
obstruction clearance with a 1,000-foot buffer in nonmountainous
terrain areas and a 2,000-foot buffer in
designated mountainous areas within the U.S. This
altitude may not provide signal coverage from
ground-based navigational aids, air traffic control
radar, or communications coverage. OROCAs are
intended primarily as a pilot tool for emergencies and
situational awareness. OROCAs depicted on NACO
en route charts do not provide you with an acceptable
altitude for terrain and obstruction clearance for the
purposes of off-route, random RNAV direct flights in
either controlled or uncontrolled airspace.

Is it just me or does this seem to be contradictory? Also, when you look at the NACO chart, the ATTENTION box explains OROCAs and it says "This altitude is provided for obstruction clearance only."

So does the OROCA provide obstacle/terrain clearance or not?

[tgrayson]

Originally Posted by qflyer

So does the OROCA provide obstacle/terrain clearance or not?

Political. See

http://tinyurl.com/2uh9vq

[B767Driver]

My supposition is that the FAA wants the pilot to determine off route minimum altitudes by refering to a sectional chart that actually shows terrain data and location of highest obstructions. Gaining this information from the IFR enroute chart is an inference with regard to obstruction clearance, without really knowing what is beneath you.

In practicality...the OROCA number should keep you safe.

[amorris311]

Originally Posted by B767Driver

My supposition is that the FAA wants the pilot to determine off route minimum altitudes by refering to a sectional chart that actually shows terrain data and location of highest obstructions. Gaining this information from the IFR enroute chart is an inference with regard to obstruction clearance, without really knowing what is beneath you.

In practicality...the OROCA number should keep you safe.

[B767Driver]

Originally Posted by tgrayson

Political. See

http://tinyurl.com/2uh9vq

Aha, the FAA was okay with it...I guess ALPA was not.

[tgrayson]

Originally Posted by B767Driver

Aha, the FAA was okay with it...I guess ALPA was not.

My reading says that everyone was OK with it in principle, but the details were the problem:

1. Sectorizing OROCA into 1/2 degree sectors
2. Radar required for off route operations
3. OROCA in uncontrolled airspace
4. Controller training
5. RNAV as sole source navigation
6. Need for NOTAM policy
7. Need for air traffic include OROCA in the Obstruction Evaluation/Airport Airspace Analysis (OE/AAA) program under
   Order 7400.2
8. Not that useful anyway; MIA could get you lower.

[qflyer]

Thanks guys!