Definition
The lowest altitudes, established for use by air traffic controllers when radar vectoring aircraft, that provide required obstacle clearance, communications reception, and radar coverage within a specified airspace sector. MVAs are depicted on controller radar displays but are not published on pilot charts.
Plain English
The lowest altitude a controller is allowed to assign you when steering you with radar vectors in a given area. It is set high enough to keep you safely above terrain and obstacles, and to keep radio and radar contact reliable.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument flying when air traffic control is giving radar vectors, especially during arrivals, departures, and approaches.
Derivation
‘Vectoring’ comes from Latin ‘vector,’ meaning ‘carrier’ or ‘one who conveys.’ In aviation it refers to a controller giving headings to guide an aircraft along a desired path. The ‘minimum vectoring altitude’ is simply the floor for that guided path.
Why Pilots Care
Ensures terrain and obstacle clearance during vectoring in instrument conditions.
Grounding Statement
Minimum Vectoring Altitudes are area safety floors used by controllers while they guide aircraft by assigned headings.
Intuition Check
Minimum does not mean “best altitude” or “normal altitude” here. It means the lowest altitude ATC may use for vectoring while still providing required obstacle clearance.
Example Sentence 1
ATC kept us at 4,000 feet on the downwind because that was the minimum vectoring altitude for that sector.
Example Sentence 2
In the terminal area the pilot stayed above the published minimum vectoring altitudes while receiving radar vectors.