IFR Question of the Week

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Question:  While being radar vectored on an IFR flight plan, the controller assigns altitudes at-or-above the MVA.  Can the controller assign at-or-below when you're operating SVFR?  And what does MVA Mean?
Answer:  Yes.  SVFR is a VFR procedfure and the pilot is responsible for terrain clearance.  If the controller assigns an altitutude SVFR it will be "at-or-below" the MVA giving the pilot the option to climb or scud run while still observing FAR 91.119.

FAR 91.119 (as of 2005/September): 

Minimum safe altitudes: General.

Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below the following altitudes:
(a) Anywhere. An altitude allowing, if a power unit fails, an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface.
(b) Over congested areas. Over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open air assembly of persons, an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft.
(c) Over other than congested areas. An altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.
(d) Helicopters. Helicopters may be operated at less than the minimums prescribed in paragraph (b) or (c) of this section if the operation is conducted without hazard to persons or property on the surface. In addition, each person operating a helicopter shall comply with any routes or altitudes specifically prescribed for helicopters by the Administrator.
 

MVA:  Minimum Vectoring Altitude.  The lowest MSL (Mean Sea Level) altitude at which an IFR aircraft will be vectored by a radar controller, except as otherwise authorized for radar approaches, departures and missed approaches

SVFR: Special VFR - Meteorological conditions that are less than those required for basic VFR flight in controlled airspace and in which some aircraft are permitted flight under visual flight rules

SVFR Operations:  Aircraft operating in accordance with clearances within controlled airspace in meteorological conditions less than the basic VFR weather minima.  Such operations must be requested by the pilot and approved by ATC.