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. The altitude meets IFR obstacle clearance criteria. It may be lower than the published MEA along an airway or J-route segment. Charts depicting minimum vectoring altitudes are normally available only to the controllers and not to pilots.
Source FAA Pilot/Controller Glossary · checked 2026-08-25