An aircraft is routing in IMC towards Aberdeen aerodrome from the south-east, where the Minimum Sector Altitude (MSA) is 2500 feet. While routing towards the ATF NDB at 3000 feet on the Aberdeen QNH, the following instruction is received by the pilot from the Approach Radar controller:
‘’Turn left, heading 285 degrees, descend 2300 feet. Radar vectors for the ILS Runway 34’’.
The pilot should…
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A
Turn left to head 285°(T) and descend to 2500 feet altitude, because this is the MSA. Inform the controller about the change.
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B
Maintain heading and altitude, and request new descent instructions, because 2300 feet is below MSA.
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C
Turn left to head 285°(M) and descend to 2300 feet. The minimum radar vectoring altitude may be below MSA.
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D
Turn left to head 285°(M) but maintain 3000 feet and request new descent instructions, because 2300 feet is below MSA.
Radar vectoring means giving the pilot specific headings to maintain the desired track. When "under vectors" or "under radar control", it means that a radar control service is being provided, i.e. the PIC must do what he is told by the radar unit and the ATC assumes responsibility for separation and terrain clearance in flight, providing bearing, distance and height information on known conflicting traffic. Some services will also provide advisory avoiding action.
Thus, the PIC when "under vectors", should follow the ATC's instructions.
In a radar environment, heading information given by the pilot and heading instructions given by the controllers are in degrees magnetic.
Minimum Radar Vectoring Altitude (MRVA), also known as Minimum Vectoring Altitude (MVA), is the lowest alltitude, expressed in feet AMSL, to which a radar controller may issue aircraft altitude clearances during vectoring. MRVA allows the ATC to vector and descent an aircraft below MSA to achieve VFR or to join a procedure.
Therefore, the pilot should turn left to head 285°(M) and descend to 2300 feet. The minimum radar vectoring altitude may be below MSA.
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