AFI 11-2C-130v3 - BITS

218 AFI11-2C-130V3 23 APRIL 2012
Figure 16.1. Night VMC Enroute Altitude.
16.4.1.5. Minimum Safe Altitude (MSA). MSA is an initial VFR altitude that provides
additional terrain clearance while the aircrew analyzes situations that require interruption
of low-level operations (route disorientation and equipment malfunctions or when either
pilot must leave the seat during low-level operations, etc). Plan MSA at an indicated
altitude of 500 feet above the highest obstruction to flight (man-made obstacle, terrain
feature, or spot elevation), or 400 feet plus one chart contour interval above the highest
depicted terrain contour, whichever is highest, within 5 NM of route centerline to include
the aircraft turn radius. If the tactical corridor is > 5 NM of centerline, the MSA will be
calculated for the tactical corridor width. An MSA will be computed for each leg, route
segment, or entire low-level route.
16.4.1.6. Minimum IFR Enroute Altitude. Compute Minimum IFR Enroute Altitude by
adding 1000 feet (2,000 feet in mountainous terrain) above the highest obstruction to
flight (man-made obstacle, terrain feature, or spot elevation) within 5 NMs of route
centerline (10 NMs outside the US unless 5 NM authorized by MAJCOM/DO). Round
this altitude up to the next 100-foot increment. If the altitude for the next leg is higher
than the current leg altitude, climb will be completed before the turn point. If the altitude
for the next leg is lower, do not initiate descent until over the turn point.
16.4.1.6.1. Minimum altitudes for IFR operations within published Military Training
Routes (MTRs) in US sovereign airspace will be the computed leg MSA unless a