What should pilots maintain during approach while being radar vectored?

Maintaining the last assigned altitude until specific instructions are provided is crucial for pilots during an approach when being radar vectored. This procedure ensures that pilots adhere to air traffic control (ATC) instructions, helping to maintain safe separation from other aircraft and obstacles. It provides a standard operating protocol that prevents altitude conflicts, especially in busy airspace where multiple aircraft may be converging.

By remaining at the last assigned altitude, pilots ensure they are not descending prematurely or ascending without authorization, which could lead to dangerous situations. Only when ATC provides new instructions regarding altitude adjustments should pilots change their altitude. This ensures that communications with ATC remain clear and effective, facilitating safe aircraft operation during critical phases of flight.

While maintaining minimum safe altitude is important, that is often separate from ATC instructions and does not specifically address the context of being radar vectored. Communication with nearby aircraft enhances situational awareness but is secondary to adhering to ATC commands during an approach. Compliance with ATC requests for vertical speed is essential but less fundamental than maintaining the last assigned altitude. Thus, keeping the last instructed altitude until directed otherwise is the prioritized action during this phase of flight.