MVA for Baradiuim

[undatc]

Hey, we were talking a bit ago about the MVA and how low a controller can give you radar services etc.  I was studying for my midterm tomorrow in radar ops and ran accross the 7110.65 chapter that has the info, here it is for ya.

5-6-1. APPLICATION

Vector aircraft:

a. In controlled airspace for separation, safety, noise abatement, operational advantage, or when a pilot requests. Allow aircraft operating on an RNAV route to remain on their own navigation to the extent possible.

b. In Class G airspace only upon pilot request and as an additional service.

c. At or above the MVA or the minimum IFR altitude except as authorized for radar approaches, special VFR, VFR operations, or by para 5-6-3, Vectors Below Minimum Altitude.

NOTE-
VFR aircraft not at an altitude assigned by ATC may be vectored at any altitude. It is the responsibility of the pilot to comply with the applicable parts of CFR Title 14.

REFERENCE-
FAAO 7110.65, Minimum En Route Altitudes, Para 4-5-6.
FAAO 7110.65, Priority, Para 7-5-2.
FAAO 7110.65, Altitude Assignment, Para 7-5-4.
FAAO 7110.65, Altitude Assignments, Para 7-7-5.
14 CFR Section 91.119, Minimum Safe Altitudes: General.

d. In airspace for which you have control jurisdiction, unless otherwise coordinated.

e. So as to permit it to resume its own navigation within radar coverage.

f. Operating special VFR only within Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class E surface areas.

g. Operating VFR at those locations where a special program is established, or when a pilot requests, or you suggest and the pilot concurs.

REFERENCE-
FAAO 7110.65, Route Use, Para 4-4-1.
FAAO 7110.65, Visual Separation, Para 7-2-1.
FAAO 7110.65, Separation, Para 7-5-3.
FAAO 7110.65, Application, Para 7-6-1.
FAAO 7110.65, Separation Minima, Para 9-4-4.
FAAO 7210.3, Chapter 11, Section 1, Terminal VFR Radar Services.

Basicly all that means is that we cant do anything with you unless you hit the minimum IFR vectoring altitude, except for climbs.  Or if you're established on a published approach.  As far as how we break up and decide what level that is, im still searching.

[Baradium]

Thanks a lot for the text.  It seems to me at least that there can be big misunderstandings between pilots and controllers about what services are actually being provided (see numerous AOPA articles for that one).

What the ATC does around here when we call them up below radar coverage and/or vectoring altitudeand looking for IFR is ask "can you maintain your own terrain/obstruction clearance through xxxx"  (in the Galena area where this happens most of the time it is 6,000 ft).     Once we accept this responsibility it gives him authority to issue us a clearance and us authority to climb into the soup to get to radar coverage and MSA  (this is in the AIM btw).

Here's a specific article I was thinking about:
http://www.aopa.org/asf/asfarticles/2007/sp0701.html