AIM

8/15/19

5

−

4

−

17

Arrival Procedures

FIG 5

−

4

−

11

Minimum Vectoring Altitude Charts

1500

2000

3000

3000

3000

3500

2500

5000

5500

5

10

15

20

25

30

348

013

057

102

160

250

277

289

N

e. Minimum Vectoring Altitudes (MVAs)

 are

established for use by ATC when radar ATC is
exercised. MVA charts are prepared by air traffic
facilities at locations where there are numerous
different minimum IFR altitudes. Each MVA chart
has sectors large enough to accommodate vectoring
of aircraft within the sector at the MVA. Each sector
boundary is at least 3 miles from the obstruction
determining the MVA. To avoid a large sector with an
excessively high MVA due to an isolated prominent
obstruction, the obstruction may be enclosed in a
buffer area whose boundaries are at least 3 miles from
the obstruction. This is done to facilitate vectoring
around the obstruction.  (See FIG 5

−

4

−

11.)

1.

The minimum vectoring altitude in each

sector provides 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle
in nonmountainous areas and 2,000 feet above the
highest obstacle in designated mountainous areas.
Where lower MVAs are required in designated
mountainous areas to achieve compatibility with
terminal routes or to permit vectoring to an IAP,
1,000 feet of obstacle clearance may be authorized
with the use of Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR).
The minimum vectoring altitude will provide at least
300 feet above the floor of controlled airspace.

NOTE

−

OROCA is an off

−

route altitude which provides obstruc-

tion clearance with a 1,000 foot buffer in nonmountainous
terrain areas and a 2,000 foot buffer in designated
mountainous areas within the U.S. This altitude may not
provide signal coverage from ground

−

based navigational

aids, air traffic control radar, or communications
coverage.

2.

Because of differences in the areas consid-

ered for MVA, and those applied to other minimum
altitudes, and the ability to isolate specific obstacles,
some MVAs may be lower than the nonradar
Minimum En Route Altitudes (MEAs), Minimum
Obstruction Clearance Altitudes (MOCAs) or other
minimum altitudes depicted on charts for a given
location. While being radar vectored, IFR altitude
assignments by ATC will be at or above MVA.

3.

The MVA/MIA may be lower than the TAA

minimum altitude. If ATC has assigned an altitude to
an aircraft that is below the TAA minimum altitude,
the aircraft will either be assigned an altitude to
maintain until established on a segment of a
published route or instrument approach procedure, or
climbed to the TAA altitude.