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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/ifr-lostcomm-altitude

After radio failure in IFR conditions, which altitude must you fly for each route segment?

The highest of assigned, minimum IFR, or expected altitude.

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  1. The lowest safe altitude on the chart
  2. Your last assigned altitude only
  3. The highest of the assigned, minimum IFR, and expected altitudes ✔

Why: 91.185(c)(2) tells you to fly the highest of three altitudes for each segment: the one in your last clearance, the minimum IFR altitude, or the altitude ATC said to expect.

Huh, didn't know that: The minimum altitude is converted to a minimum flight level when appropriate.

The dad joke
Why was the plane sent to its room? Bad altitude.
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References

Answer: The highest of the assigned, minimum IFR, and expected altitudes. 91.185(c)(2) tells you to fly the highest of three altitudes for each segment: the one in your last clearance, the minimum IFR altitude, or the altitude ATC said to expect.

  1. 14 CFR 91.185 IFR operations: two-way radio communications failure www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/91.185
    At the highest of the following altitudes or flight levels for the route segment being flown
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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FlyingIn IFR lost communications, which route does 91.185 put first?FlyingYou lose radios in IFR conditions, then reach VFR conditions. What does 91.185 say?FlyingAfter radio failure, when do you leave a clearance limit that is not an approach fix?

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