What is the standard en route separation minimum below FL180?

What is the standard en route separation minimum below FL180?

• A. 1,000 ft vertically and 5 miles laterally (3 miles within 40 miles of an antenna)
• B. 2,000 ft vertically and 10 miles laterally
• C. 500 ft vertically and 3 miles laterally
• D. 1,500 ft vertically and 8 miles laterally

Answer: (A)

Minimum separation en route below FL180 is 1,000 feet vertically and 5 miles horizontally. This standard ensures safe spacing between aircraft in uncontrolled airspace where radar may be limited. There is an exception when radar is actively providing separation within the radar coverage area near a facility: within 40 miles of a radar antenna, the lateral separation can be reduced to 3 miles. So the best match is the rule that states 1,000 feet vertical and 5 miles horizontal, with a 3-mile lateral option inside radar coverage. The other options propose different vertical or horizontal values that don’t align with these established minimums.

Minimum separation en route below FL180 is 1,000 feet vertically and 5 miles horizontally. This standard ensures safe spacing between aircraft in uncontrolled airspace where radar may be limited. There is an exception when radar is actively providing separation within the radar coverage area near a facility: within 40 miles of a radar antenna, the lateral separation can be reduced to 3 miles. So the best match is the rule that states 1,000 feet vertical and 5 miles horizontal, with a 3-mile lateral option inside radar coverage. The other options propose different vertical or horizontal values that don’t align with these established minimums.