Enroute Clearances And Procedures

Question 1

Enroute procedures

Answer 1

•Procedures enroute vary according to:
•The proposed route
•The traffic environment
•The ATC facilities controlling the flight.
•Most IFR flights are under radar surveillance and controlled from departure to arrival
•Others rely entirely on pilot navigation.
•Where ATC has no jurisdiction, it does not issue an IFR clearance.
•It has no control over the flight, nor does the pilot have any assurance of separation from other traffic.

Question 2

VFR on top

Answer 2

•Used to penetrate a layer of overcast to reach VFR conditions
•This clearance allows you to be above, below, or between layers
•Avoid icing for long periods of time (if deicing capable)
•Solid IMC can be fatiguing
•More comfortable for passengers
•Typically, less turbulent
•Better view = avoid air sickness
•You are still on an IFR flight plan, but VFR on top comes with a few stipulations.
•You must:
•Fly at the appropriate VFR altitudes (91.159 hemispheric rules)
•Comply with VFR visibility and distance from cloud criteria (91.155)
•Comply with IFR regs applicable to your flight
•Minimum IFR altitudes
•Your ATC clearance
•Position reporting
•Radio Communications

Question 3

VFR on top clearance

Answer 3

•ATC can clear you to climb through meteorological formations to maintain VFR on top if the following conditions are met:
•The pilot requests the clearance
•ATC informs the pilot of the reported height of tops or no tops reported
•ATC ensures separation from other traffic.
•YOU ARE STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR SEE AND AVOID

Question 4

Clearance with a VFR restriction

Answer 4

•Used when terrain is a factor and pilot responsible for ensuring separation.
•Time saver. (ATC doesn’t have to vector you)
•VFR climb or descent.

Question 5

Through clearance

Answer 5

Allows a pilot to stop at an intermediate airport(s) while still on a single IFR clearance.

Question 6

Cruise clearance

Answer 6

•Allows pilot to fly at any altitude between the assigned altitude and the MEA
•Climb or descent in block is at pilot discretion
•Once you vacate an altitude cannot return

Question 7

At pilots discretion

Answer 7

•“At pilot’s discretion descend and maintain … vs. descend and maintain…“
•Allows pilot to:
•Start descent whenever they choose – must report leaving previously assigned altitude
•Descend at any rate they choose
•Temporarily level off at an intermediate altitude but cannot go back once you leave

Question 8

Communications

Answer 8

•Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, the PIC of each aircraft operated under IFR in controlled airspace must ensure that a continuous watch is maintain on the appropriate frequency and must report the following as soon as possible-
•The time and altitude of passing each designated reporting point, the reporting points specified by ATC, except that while the aircraft if under radar control, only the passing of those points specifically requested by ATC need be reported;
•Any un-forecasted weather conditions encountered;
•Any other information relating to safety of flight

Question 9

Required radio reports

Answer 9

•Position Reports (When directed by ATC/not in radar contact).
•Time/altitude when reaching a clearance limit or holding fix.
•Upon leaving any assigned holding fix.
•Vacating a previously assigned altitude for a new one (“Pilot’s Discretion”)
•All altitude changes when operating VFR on top.
•Missed Approach (Request clearance for further action).
•Loss of any Nav/Comm capabilities.
•If unable to climb or descend at least 500’/min
•Change in average TAS by more than 10 kts. or 5% (whichever is greater) than what was filed
•Un-forecasted weather.
•Anything related to the safety of flight.

Question 10

IFR mandatory reports (MARVELOUS)

Answer 10

•Missed Approach
•Airspeed Change (±10kts or 5%)
•Reaching a Holding Fix
•VFR on Top
•ETA Change ±3 Minutes
•Leaving a Holding Fix
•Outer Marker Inbound
•Un-forecasted Weather
•Safety of Flight

Question 11

Non-radar environment reports

Answer 11

•Non-Radar Environment
•Corrected ETA/ETE if off by more than 3 minutes.
•Leaving the FAF/OM inbound on an instrument approach.
•Position reports.
•Compulsory reporting points or points used in defining an off-airway route (direct routes)
•Pilot should discontinue position reporting when informed by ATC aircraft is in “RADAR CONTACT.”

Question 12

Position reports

Answer 12

•Identification
•Position
•Time
•Altitude
•ETA and name at the next reporting point
•Name only of the next succeeding reporting point along the route of flight
•Remarks

Question 13

Speed adjustments

Answer 13

•Used by ATC for traffic separation
•Pilot has final authority to accept or decline
•Must maintain +/-10kts
•Approach clearance supersedes speed adjustments unless repeated
•Speed adjustments should not be assigned inside FAF