In the United States and Canada, Victor airways are low-altitude airways. They are defined in straight-line segments, each of which is based on a straight line between either two VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) stations, or a VOR and a VOR intersection,[1] hence the beginning letter V (pronounced as Victor in the ICAO phonetic alphabet).
In the United States, Victor airways are designated by the FAA in FAA Order JO 7400.11.[2] They are available for flight below Flight Level 180 (approximately 18000feet above mean sea level (AMSL)) under either instrument flight rules (IFR) or visual flight rules (VFR).
Victor airways have minimum (and possibly maximum) altitudes for IFR operations established. For VFR operations, victor airways are just a subset of so-called Federal airways (which also include so-called colored airways), which are designated as Class E, and hence are extended from 1200feet above ground level (AGL) up to, but not including, 18000feet above mean sea level (AMSL).[3] [4] [5]
Victor airways are depicted as black solid lines on IFR Low-Altitude Enroute charts and as thick faded blue lines on VFR Terminal and Sectional Area charts. They are identified by a number, similar to an interstate highway (for example, a pilot could say that he/she is "flying Victor Eight").
The width of the victor corridor depends on the distance from the navigational aids (such as VORs):[6] [7]
Controlled low-level airways extend upwards from 2,200 ft AGL up to, but not including 18,000 ft ASL.
The basic VHF/UHF airway width is at least 4 NM on each side of the centerline prescribed for such an airway, and is expanded along a line diverging 4.5° on each side of the centerline from the designated facility.
The basic LF/MF airway width is at least 4.34 NM on each side of the centerline prescribed for such an airway, and is expanded along a line diverging 5° on each side of the centerline from the designated facility.
Where a Victor airway is established based on a VOR/VORTAC and NDB, the boundaries of that airway will be those of an LF/MF airway.
Low-level controlled fixed RNAV routes have dimensions of 4 NM of primary obstacle protection area, plus 2 NM of secondary obstacle protection area on each side of the centreline. The airspace associated with RNAV T-routes is 10 NM on each side of the centreline. RNAV T-route airspace and protection areas do not splay with distance from the waypoint.[8]