Highest MEA you will accept with a Cherokee 180

[Flying_Monkey]

After earning my instrument rating I am continuing my study and research. I was reading one accident investigation article here: http://airfactsjournal.com/2013/07/trust-but-verify-atc-cant-fly-the-airplane-for-you/

and it got me thinking again about some of the high MEA's in my area along with some other areas I want to fly. I think the highest I have flown my '73 Cherokee Challenger (O-360) is 11,500 ft and I noted it's performance at that altitude. There are some MEAs around the mountains here in Socal and towards AZ and southern UT that are 13000 or even 14000...(Bryce canyon) I would not be inclined currently to fly these routes in actual IMC. Obviously there are other weather considerations such as icing, winds (mountain waves), and turbulence that factor in to the decision if a route is flyable in this type of plane. (along with O2 considerations).

But do you have any hard and fast rules you go by when deciding about routing in respect to MEA in this type of plane?

Right now I won't overfly mountainous areas at altitudes above 10k unless I am not in IMC.

I think I just need to get out and get to 14k and feel how the airplane (doesn't) fly...

 

[sanjiv]

 

[Flying_Monkey]

 

[flyguydon]

 

[GM.]

 

[N33GG]

 

[Ed Dartford]

 

[EchoDelta]

 

[RNC]

 

[flyguydon]