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MINIMUM SAFE ALTITUDE WARNING (MSAW)

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

A function of the EAS and STARS computer that aids the controller by alerting him/her when a tracked Mode C equipped aircraft is below or is predicted by the computer to go below a predetermined minimum safe altitude.

Refer to AIM.

Also called MSAW.

In the 7110.65

Used in 9 paragraphs of JO 7110.65BB.

  1. 1-2-6Abbreviations
  2. 2-1-6Safety Alert
  3. 4-2-8IFR-VFR and VFR-IFR Flights
  4. 5-2-3Emergency Code Assignment
  5. 5-2-7VFR Code Assignments
  6. 5-14-7Inhibiting Minimum Safe Altitude Warning (MSAW)
  7. 10-2-7VFR Aircraft in Weather Difficulty
  8. 10-2-8Radar Assistance to VFR Aircraft in Weather Difficulty
  9. 10-2-9Radar Assistance Techniques