Minimum vectoring altitude

Minimum vectoring altitude (MVA)
Missed Approach Procedure
National Aeronautical Charting Group (NACG) ...

Minimum vectoring altitude (MVA). An IFR altitude lower than the minimum en route altitude (MEA) that provides terrain and obstacle clearance.

MINIMUM VECTORING ALTITUDE- The lowest MSL altitude at which an IFR aircraft will be vectored by a radar controller, except as otherwise authorized for radar approaches, departures, and missed approaches.

A ceiling 500' above minimum vectoring altitude or minimum instrument altitude allows the controller to vector for a visual approach so long as visibility is three miles.

See also: Instrument approach procedure, Airway, VOR, Report, Air traffic