Newps wrote:



Bee wrote:




Or, it could have been to assure MVA until ROYCE.



That is definitely not the case. He was at a good altitude prior to
this clearance. Aircraft reports airport. Controller says cleared for
the visual. MVA now irrelevant as separation from the ground/obstacles
is now pilots responsibility.

But, the clearance for the visual was for a future point in space; i.e.,
ROYCE, which was still to be crossed.