Sunday, July 7, 2019

Ground lesson 20 (8) - ATC Clearances and procedures

ATC clearances



  • Pilot responsibility 
    • Read back, execute promptly 
    • Climb at optimum rate between 500 - 1500 fpm
      • Advise ATC if unable to climb with at least 500 fpm

    • If clearance is not fully understood, request clarification 
    • When operating in VMC, see and avoid

  • IFR flightplan and ATC clearance 
    • Required for all IFR aircrafts operating in controlled airspace (91.175)
    • Flightplan should be filed at least 30 minutes before ETD
    • It will time out 2 hours after ETD if not opened

  • Elements of an IFR clearance 
    • Clearance limit
    • Route 
    • Altitude
    • Frequency
    • Transponder

  • Abbreviated clearance
    • … “then as filed” instead of saying whole route 
    • Additionals will still be provided (altitude, frequency, transponder)
    • Never accept if you made changes to your flight plan
      • ATC might not receive new/change flightplan
      • Request full clearance

    • Inform ATC on initial contact that you have amended/replaced the flight plan with a new one

  • VFR-on-Top
    • May be requested while still on an IFR flight plan
    • Permits you to fly VFR cruising altitudes of your choice (91.115)
    • You still have to follow IFR applicable (MEA,position reporting,etc)
    • Advise ATC before any altitude change
    • IFR FLIGHT PLAN WON'T BE CANCELED
    • Different than VFR over the top, which is on a VFR flight plan
  • Approach clearance
    • ATC will use “...cleared for approach” if only one approach exists or to authorize you to use an approach of your choice 
      • Otherwise they will restrict you to one specific approach

  • VFR restrictions to an IFR flight plan
    • ATC may direct you to “remain VFR conditions”
    • This can only be initiated by the pilot by for example
      • Placing “VMC training flight only” in remark section of flightplan
      • Requesting VFR climb/descent

    • You must remain in VFR conditions and maintain your own traffic separation while in VFR

  • Composite flight plan
    • Used if portion of the flight will be under VFR and another under IFR  
    • Request IFR clearance before reaching fix when IFR operations is proposed 
    • It is your responsibility to open/close the VFR portion of the flight plan

  • Tower enroute control clearance - TEC
    • Permits you to fly short, low altitude routes between terminal areas 
    • You are transferred between “departure control” and “approach control” facilities 
    • Intended flight below 10000 feet MSL with a duration of less than 2 hours
    • Includes acronym “TEC” in the remark section of the flight plan

  • Departure restrictions
    • “Hold for release”, may not depart until you receive release time, or given additional instructions 
      • “Release time”, earliest time you may depart

    • Additional heading and altitude restrictions may be issued

  • Clearance read back
    • Always read back, specifically if you feel the need for confirmation 
    • Ask for clarification if any ATC instruction is in doubt
    • Do not read back a best guess
    • Always read back 
      • Altitude assignment
      • Vectors
      • Runway assignment
      • Numbers

  • Clearance void time
    • Given if you are departing from an area without a control tower
    • If the clearance void time is 15:30, last chance to depart is 15:29
    • You have 30 minutes after the void time to contact ATC, or they will star search and rescue
    • No other IFR traffic will be released until you have contacted ATC or void time + 30 minutes




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