diversion altitude

[mckionna]

Any one got a rule of thumb for selecting an appropriate altitude or flight level(B .737) when leaving your destination holding pattern ,i.e 5000',for destination alternate?
50nm,100nm,200nm.for example.
Thanks.

[Brian Fantana]

Check what the MSA is too!

[roljoe]

Depending upon the distance, I would say, the floor altitude should be MEA (atc, radionav, etc..considerations) otherwise MOCA and MORA

rgds

[411A]

For longer diversions (more than 45 minutes), I normally flight plan FL220 for most flights, otherwise FL150.
Type, L1011.
Sometimes you get higher from ATC, sometimes not.
However, I have seen plogs wherein FL310 (or even higher) is planned, and this is truly unrealistic for all but the most unusual situations.
I do not like steaming around with absolute minimum fuel (or even less) in tanks.