ATC Clearances Flashcards
What is required to operate under IFR?
•An instrument flight plan must be filed
•Part 91.173 – “No person may operate an aircraft in controlled airspace under IFR unless that person has
•Filed and IFR flight plan
•Received an appropriate ATC clearance
Filing an IFR flight plan
•On the ground (>30 minutes prior to dep.)
•AFSS (1-800-WXBRIEF) (preferred)
•Clearance Delivery
•Foreflight
•In flight (air file)
•AFSS (Automated Flight Service Station)
•ARTCC (Air Route Traffic Control Center)
ATC Clearance
•Once an IFR flight plan is filed, it may be opened via an ATC clearance
•An ATC clearance allows an aircraft to operate under IFR conditions within controlled airspace and provides separation between aircraft.
What does an IFR clearance do?
•Ensures Separation of IFR traffic only
•It is not an authority to violate any FAR, minimum altitude or other directives.
•Pilot is still responsible for see and avoid unless in IMC
CRAFT Clearance
C – Clearance Limit (Where you are cleared to)
R – Route
A – Altitude
F – Frequency
T – Transponder
Receiving clearance from a controlled airport
•Clearance delivery if applicable
•Ground control
•Tower
Receiving clearance from an uncontrolled airport
Find ATC clearance phone number or frequency in Chart Supplement (AFD)
Clearance read back
•“Pilots should read back those parts of ATC clearances containing altitude assignments or vectors as a means of mutual verification.”
•Read back the numbers!
•Include your call sign in all read backs.
Clearance release times
•Release Times
•“Sioux 602, released for departure at 12:30 Z.”
•EDCT (Expect Departure Clearance Time)
•Hold for release (Flow Time)
•Used to delay a/c departure because of weather, traffic congestion, etc.
Clearance void times
•When an ATC clearance is given to you from an uncontrolled airport ATC will issue a Clearance Void Time.
•Must be airborne by that time.
•“Clearance void if not off by…”
•If you are delayed, NOTIFY ATC!
