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MINIMUM IFR ALTITUDES (MIA)

Pilot/Controller Glossary with JO 7110.65BB, Change 3, effective July 9, 2026 · Official text on faa.gov

Minimum altitudes for IFR operations as prescribed in 14 CFR part 91. These altitudes are published on aeronautical charts and prescribed in 14 CFR part 95 for airways and routes, and in 14 CFR part 97 for standard instrument approach procedures. If no applicable minimum altitude is prescribed in 14 CFR part 95 or 14 CFR part 97, the following minimum IFR altitude applies:

  1. In designated mountainous areas, 2,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal distance of 4 nautical miles from the course to be flown; or
  2. Other than mountainous areas, 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal distance of 4 nautical miles from the course to be flown; or
  3. As otherwise authorized by the Administrator or assigned by ATC.

See MINIMUM CROSSING ALTITUDE (MCA); MINIMUM EN ROUTE IFR ALTITUDE (MEA); MINIMUM OBSTRUCTION CLEARANCE ALTITUDE (MOCA); MINIMUM SAFE ALTITUDE (MSA); MINIMUM VECTORING ALTITUDE (MVA).

Refer to 14 CFR part 91.

Also called MIA.

In the 7110.65

Used in 18 paragraphs of JO 7110.65BB.

  1. 1-2-6Abbreviations
  2. 4-2-8IFR-VFR and VFR-IFR Flights
  3. 4-3-2Departure Clearances
  4. 4-4-1Route Use
  5. 4-5-6Minimum En Route Altitudes (MEA)
  6. 4-8-1Approach Clearance
  7. 4-8-9Missed Approach
  8. 5-6-2Methods
  9. 5-6-3Vectors Below Minimum Altitude
  10. 5-8-1Procedures
  11. 5-8-2Initial Heading
  12. 5-9-1Vectors to Final Approach Course
  13. 5-13-2En Route Minimum Safe Altitude Warning (e‐Msaw)
  14. 6-5-4Minima Along Other Than Established Airways or Routes
  15. 7-4-2Vectors for Visual Approach
  16. 7-4-5Charted Visual Flight Procedures (CVFP). Usa/Usn Not Applicable
  17. 7-4-6RNAV Visual Flight Procedures (RVFP)
  18. 10-2-17Emergency Obstruction Video Map (EOVM)/Emergency Altitude Map (EAM)