Vectoring below the MVA...

[VATSIM Cleveland ARTCC]

VATSIM Cleveland ARTCC > ZOB Lobby > Airspace Notices > Vectoring below the MVA...

[James Hamilton 936326]

Wanted to bring up clarification regarding IFR departures and vectoring prior to reaching the MVA. Essentially, departures may recieve a vector prior to reaching the MVA if the departing aircraft is climbing at or above the MVA altitude. Most controllers on the network do this regularly without ever considering the MVA. Here's a direct quote from the 7110.65 which addresses this...

5-6-3. VECTORS BELOW MINIMUM ALTITUDE

Except in en route automated environments in areas where more than 3 miles separation minima is required, you may vector a departing IFR aircraft, or one executing a missed approach, within 40 miles of the antenna and before it reaches the minimum altitude for IFR operations if separation from prominent obstructions shown on the radar scope is applied in accordance with the following:

a. If the flight path is 3 miles or more from the obstruction and the aircraft is climbing to an altitude at least 1,000 feet above the obstruction, vector the aircraft to maintain at least 3 miles separation from the obstruction until the aircraft reports leaving an altitude above the obstruction.

b. If the flight path is less than 3 miles from the obstruction, and the aircraft is climbing to an altitude at least 1,000 feet above the obstruction, vector the aircraft to increase lateral separation from the obstruction until the 3 mile minimum is achieved or until the aircraft reports leaving an altitude above the obstruction.

c. At those locations where diverse vector areas (DVA) have been established, terminal radar facilities may vector aircraft below the MVA/MIA within those areas and along those routes described in facility directives.