13. Clearances - ATM1 Flashcards
What is an ATC Clearance?
Authorisation for an aircraft to proceed under conditions specified by an air traffic control unit.
Frequently abbreviated to “clearance” when used in appropriate contexts.
What is an Air Traffic Control instruction?
Directive issued by ATC for the purpose of requiring a pilot to take a specific action.
What is a Downstream Clearance?
‘downstream clearance’ means a clearance issued to an aircraft by an air traffic control unit that is not the current controlling authority of that aircraft;
What is a Clearance limit?
The point to which an aircraft is granted an air traffic control clearance.
A Clearance Limit shall be described by specifying:
- The name of the appropriate reporting point, or
- Aerodrome, or
- Controlled airspace boundary.
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Condense
SERA 8015 (a)
ATC clearances shall be issued solely on the following requirements for providing an ATC service.
- Clearances shall be issued solely for expediting and separating air traffic and be based on known traffic conditions which affect safety in aircraft operation.
Such traffic conditions include not only aircraft in
the air and on the manoeuvring area over which
control is being exercised,
but also any vehicular traffic or other obstructions
not permanently installed on the manoeuvring area
in use. - ATC units shall issue such ATC clearances as
necessary to prevent collisions and to
expedite and maintain an orderly flow of air
traffic. - ATC clearances shall be issued early enough
to ensure that they are transmitted to the
aircraft in sufficient time for it to comply
with them.
ATC clearances do not:
Constitute authority to violate any applicable regulations for promoting the safety of flight operations or for any other purpose;
Neither do clearances relieve a pilot-in-command of any responsibility whatsoever in connection with a possible violation of
applicable rules and regulations.
Potential re-clearance in flight?
If, prior to departure, it is anticipated that, depending on fuel endurance and subject to reclearance in flight, a decision may be taken to proceed to a revised destination aerodrome, the appropriate ATCU’s shall be so notified by the insertion in the flight plan of information concerning the revised route (where known) and the revised destination.
Condense
Contents of a clearance?
SERA8015
(d) An air traffic control clearance shall indicate:
1) aircraft identification as shown in the flight plan;
2) clearance limit;
3) route of flight, …
i. the route of flight shall be detailed in each
clearance when deemed necessary; and
ii. the phrase ‘cleared via flight planned route’ shall
not be used when granting a re-clearance;
4) level(s) of flight for the entire route or part thereof and
changes of levels if required;
5) any necessary instructions or information on other
matters such as approach or departure manoeuvres,
communications and the time of expiry of the
clearance.
Contents of clearance
Changes in clearance regarding route or level
(1) When issuing a clearance covering a
requested change in route or level, the
exact nature of the change shall be included
in the clearance.
(2) When traffic conditions will not permit
clearance of a requested change, the word
“UNABLE” shall be used. When warranted
by circumstances, an alternative route or
level shall be offered.
Condense
Contents of clearance
Clearance related to altimetry
(1) For flights in areas where a transition
altitude (TA) is established, the vertical
position of the aircraft shall, except as
provided for in (5) below, be expressed in
terms of altitudes at or below the transition
altitude and in terms of flight levels at or
above the transition level (TL). While
passing through the transition layer, the
vertical position shall be expressed in terms
of flight levels when climbing and in terms
of altitudes when descending.
(2) The flight crew shall be provided with the
transition level in due time prior to reaching it
during descent.
(3) A QNH altimeter setting shall be included in
the descent clearance when first cleared at an
altitude below the transition level, in approach
clearances or clearances to enter the traffic
circuit, and in taxi clearances for departing
aircraft except when it is known that the aircraft
has already received the information in a
directed transmission.
(4) QFE shall be provided to aircraft on request
or on a regular basis in accordance with local
arrangements.
(5) When an aircraft which has been given clearance
to land is completing its approach using atmospheric
pressure at aerodrome elevation (QFE), the vertical
position of the aircraft shall be expressed in terms of
height above aerodrome elevation, except that it
shall be expressed in terms of height above runway
threshold elevation when:
(i) for instrument runways if the threshold is 2m (7
ft) or more below the aerodrome elevation; and
(ii) for precision approach runways.
Condense
CONTENTS OF CLEARANCES
Conditional clearances
Conditional phrases, such as ‘behind landing
aircraft’ or ‘after departing aircraft’, shall not be
used for movements affecting the active runway(s),except when the aircraft or vehicles concerned are seen by the appropriate controller and pilot.
The aircraft or vehicle causing the condition in the
clearance issued shall be the first aircraft/vehicle to
pass in front of the other aircraft concerned. In all
cases, a conditional clearance shall be given in the
following order and consist of:
In all cases, a conditional clearance shall be
given in the following order and consist of:
(1) the call sign;
(2) the condition;
(3) the clearance; and
(4) a brief reiteration of the condition
Departure clearances
•“Cleared (designation) departure” or
•“(standard departure name/number)
DEPARTURE” and
•“Cleared (designation) arrival”
May be used when standard departure or arrival
routes have been established by the appropriate
ATS authority and published in the AIP.
Condense
Readback of clearances
(i) ATC route clearances;
(ii) clearances and instructions to enter, land on,
take off from, hold short of, cross, taxi and backtrack
on any runway; and
(iii) runway-in-use, altimeter settings, SSR codes,
newly assigned communication channels, level
instructions, heading and speed instructions and,
(iv) whether issued by the controller or contained in
ATIS broadcasts, transition levels
2. Other clearances or instructions, including
conditional clearances and taxi instructions, shall
be read back or acknowledged
Readback of clearances
What shall the controller do?
The controller shall listen to the read-back to
ascertain correct by the flight crew and shall take
immediate action to correct errors.
When must a clearance be obtained?
An ATC clearance shall be obtained prior to operating a controlled flight, or a portion of a flight as a controlled flight.
