Section 6. Vectoring

5-6-1. APPLICATION

Vector aircraft:

  1. In controlled airspace for separation, safety, noise abatement, operational advantage, confidence maneuver, or when a pilot requests.
  2. In Class G airspace only upon pilot request and as an additional service.
  3. At or above the MVA or the minimum IFR altitude except as authorized for radar approaches, radar departures, special VFR, VFR operations, or by paragraph 5-6-3, Vectors Below Minimum Altitude.
  4. In airspace for which you have control jurisdiction, unless otherwise coordinated.
  5. So as to permit it to resume its own navigation within radar coverage.
  6. Operating special VFR only within Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class E surface areas.
  7. Operating VFR at those locations where a special program is established, or when a pilot requests, or you suggest and the pilot concurs.

5-6-2. METHODS

  1. Vector aircraft by specifying:
    1. Direction of turn, if appropriate, and magnetic heading to be flown, or
    2. The number of degrees, in group form, to turn and the direction of turn, or
    3. For NO‐GYRO procedures, the type of vector, direction of turn, and when to stop turn.
  2. When initiating a vector, advise the pilot of the purpose, and if appropriate, what to expect when radar navigational guidance is terminated.
  3. When vectoring or approving course deviations, assign an altitude to maintain and, if necessary, a speed, when:
    1. The vector or approved deviation is off an assigned procedure which contains altitude or speed restrictions, i.e., instrument approach, etc.
    2. The previously issued clearance included crossing restrictions.
    3. The vector or approved deviation is off an assigned procedure that contains published altitude or speed restrictions, i.e., SID, STAR, and a clearance to Climb Via/Descend Via has been issued.
  4. When vectoring or approving an aircraft to deviate off of a procedure, advise the pilot if you intend on clearing the aircraft to resume the procedure.
  5. Provide radar navigational guidance until the aircraft is:
    1. Established within the airspace to be protected for the nonradar route to be flown, or
    2. On a heading that will, within a reasonable distance, intercept the nonradar route to be flown, and
    3. Informed of its position unless the aircraft is RNAV, FMS, or DME equipped and being vectored toward a VORTAC/TACAN or waypoint and within the service volume of the NAVAID.
  6. Aircraft instructed to resume a procedure which contains published crossing restrictions (SID/STAR) must be issued/reissued all applicable restrictions or be instructed to Climb Via/Descend Via.
  7. Aircraft may not be vectored off an Obstacle Departure Procedure (ODP), or issued an altitude lower than published altitude on an ODP, until at or above the MVA/MIA, at which time the ODP is canceled.
  8. Aircraft vectored off an RNAV route must be recleared to the next waypoint or as requested by the pilot.
  9. When flight data processing is available, update the route of flight in the computer unless an operational advantage is gained and coordination is accomplished.
  10. Inform the pilot when a vector will take the aircraft across a previously assigned nonradar route.

5-6-3. VECTORS BELOW MINIMUM ALTITUDE

  1. TERMINAL. As described in facility directives, when vectoring a departing IFR aircraft, or one executing a missed approach, when ISR is not displayed in the full data block and before it reaches the minimum altitude for IFR operations if separation from prominent obstacles shown on the radar scope is applied in accordance with one of the following:
    1. The flight path is 3 miles or more from the obstacle and the aircraft is climbing to an altitude at least 1,000 feet above the obstacle, vector the aircraft to maintain at least 3 miles separation from the obstacle until the aircraft reports leaving an altitude above the obstacle, or;
    2. The flight path is less than 3 miles from the obstacle and the aircraft is climbing to an altitude at least 1,000 feet above the obstacle, vector the aircraft to increase lateral separation from the obstacle until the 3 mile minimum is achieved or until the aircraft reports leaving an altitude above the obstacle, or;
    3. Radar facilities may vector aircraft below the MVA/MIA, provided:
      1. No prominent obstacles are within 10 NM of the departure end of runway (DER).
      2. Aircraft must be allowed an uninterrupted climb to meet the MVA/MIA within 10 NM of the DER.
  2. After reaching the first MVA/MIA sector, all subsequent MVA/MIA sectors encountered must be met.
  3. At those locations where diverse vector areas (DVA) have been established, radar facilities may vector aircraft below the MVA/MIA within the DVA described in facility directives.
  4. At those locations using radar SIDs, radar facilities may vector aircraft below the MVA/MIA, in accordance with facility directives.
  5. At locations that vector aircraft conducting a go-around or missed approach, use authorized headings and display those prominent obstacles stipulated in facility directives until reaching the MVA/MIA.