Vectors — AIM 5-5-6 Explained

AIM Text

Pilot.
1. Promptly complies with headings and altitudes assigned to you by the controller.
2. Questions any assigned heading or altitude believed to be incorrect.
3. If operating VFR and compliance with any radar vector or altitude would cause a violation of any CFR, advises ATC and obtains a revised clearance or instructions.
Controller.
1. Vectors aircraft in Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, and Class E airspace:
  1. For separation.
  2. For noise abatement.
  3. To obtain an operational advantage for the pilot or controller.
2. Vectors aircraft in Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, Class E, and Class G airspace when requested by the pilot.
3. Except where authorized for radar approaches, radar departures, special VFR, or when operating in accordance with vectors below minimum altitude procedures, vector IFR aircraft at or above minimum vectoring altitudes.
4. May vector aircraft off assigned procedures. When published altitude or speed restrictions are included, controllers must assign an altitude, or if necessary, a speed.
5. May vector VFR aircraft, not at an ATC assigned altitude, at any altitude. In these cases, terrain separation is the pilot's responsibility.

Source: FAA Aeronautical Information Manual · current edition · paragraph 5-5-6.

The short answer

This advisory AIM section covers radar vectors. Pilots promptly comply with assigned headings and altitudes, question any believed incorrect, and—if VFR and a vector would violate a CFR—advise ATC for a revised clearance. Controllers vector IFR aircraft at or above minimum vectoring altitudes, supporting compliance with 14 CFR 91.123.

Research Notes

Common Questions

What if a VFR vector would cause me to violate a regulation?

If operating VFR and compliance with any radar vector or altitude would cause a violation of any CFR, the AIM advises the pilot to advise ATC and obtain a revised clearance or instructions.

How low can ATC vector an IFR aircraft?

Except where authorized for radar approaches, radar departures, special VFR, or vectors-below-minimum-altitude procedures, controllers vector IFR aircraft at or above minimum vectoring altitudes.

Who owns terrain separation when ATC vectors a VFR flight?

Controllers may vector VFR aircraft not at an ATC-assigned altitude at any altitude; in these cases, terrain separation is the pilot's responsibility, per the AIM.

5-5-6. Vectors