While receiving radar vectors in IMC toward the final approach course, ATC assigns the pilot an altitude that is below the charted Minimum Enroute Altitude (MEA) for that segment of the airway, but above the published Minimum Vectoring Altitude (MVA) for the sector. Is this altitude assignment appropriate?
- ANo, because MVAs apply only to departure procedures, not to en route vectoring
- BYes, because the MVA provides required obstacle clearance for radar vectoring and may legally be lower than the MEA
- CNo, because ATC may never assign an altitude below the charted MEA under any circumstance
- DYes, but only if the pilot is operating in VMC at the time of the vector
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Yes, because the MVA provides required obstacle clearance for radar vectoring and may legally be lower than the MEA
The Minimum Vectoring Altitude (MVA) is established by ATC facilities based on obstacle clearance criteria specifically for radar vectoring and can be lower than the charted MEA in some areas because it accounts for actual radar coverage and terrain in smaller sectors. As long as the pilot is under radar contact and vectors, ATC may legally assign an altitude at or above the MVA even if below the airway's MEA.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Incorrect — MVAs are used broadly for en route and approach vectoring, not just departures.
- C. Incorrect — ATC can vector below MEA using MVA charts specifically for this purpose.
- D. Incorrect — MVA use is not restricted to VMC; it's valid during IMC radar vectoring as well.
Minimum Vectoring Altitude (MVA)
An IFR altitude established by ATC facilities for radar vectoring that provides required obstacle clearance in a specific sector, which may be lower than the charted MEA for an airway.
- Not published on pilot charts; used internally by ATC
- Can be lower than MEA due to sector-specific obstacle analysis
- Valid for use during IMC radar vectoring, not just VMC
Memory trick: Vectors go low with MVA know-how