ATC Clearances Flashcards
What is the IFR departure clearance acronym we use?
CRAFT
C - Clearance Limit (cannot fly beyond this point unless given further clearance
R - Route
A - Altitudes
F - Frequency
T - Transponder code
What does ‘cleared as filed’ mean?
AIM 5-2-6
You are cleared to depart and fly your route exactly as proposed in the flight plan
What is a VFR on Top clearance?
An IFR clearance requested by the pilot, and given by ATC which allows a pilot to select any VFR altitude above, in between, or below a cloud layer in VFR conditions.
Does a VFR on Top clearance cancel you IFR clearance?
No
What do you need to keep in mind while operating under a VFR on Top clearance?
- You must maintain a VFR cruising altitude
- You must maintain VFR cloud separation
- You must also comply with IFR regulations applicable to your flight
- Follow IFR altitude mins
- Follow your ATC approved IFR route
- Continue IFR position reporting in not in radar contact - You must report any altitude changes
- You are responsible to see and avoid other aircraft
Where is a VFR on Top clearance NOT permitted?
Class A airspace
What regulations apply to VFR on Top?
- VFR weather minimums
- VFR cruising altitudes
- IFR regulations applicable to your flight
What is the IFR approach clearance acronym we use?
PTAC
P - Position (don’t read back)
T - Turn (vector)
A - Altitude (do not deviate from this altitude until cleared for the approach)
C - Clearance (“cleared ILS 23L”)
What is a Visual Approach clearance and how can it be initiated?
Allows us to proceed to the airport visually
Initiated by the pilot or ATC
**this are common
What is required to receive and maintain a Visual Approach clearance?
- VFR weather mins
- Must have the airport in sight OR the traffic to follow in sight
What is a Contact Approach and how can it be initiated?
Similar to the Visual Approach, the Contact Approach allows us to maneuver to the airport visually BUT we only need 1 SM of visibility and must remain clear of clouds
A Contact Approach can only be initiated by the Pilot
What is required to obtain a Contact Approach?
- One SM of visibility
- Remain clear of clouds
- You must be reasonably sure you can continue to the airport under these conditions
- Airport must have a published IAP
- You must be reasonably sure you can continue to the airport
When are you required to see and avoid other aircraft?
Anytime you are in VMC conditions
When would ATC not provide total aircraft separation services?
- When VFR on Top
- Climbing or Descending in VFR conditions
What is a composite flight plan?
A flight plan that is to be competed partially under VFR and Partially under IFR flight rules.
EXAMPLE: Your departure airport is under VFR but your destination will be IFR when you get there. File your VFR portion to the point at which you will need to switch to IFR, then start you IFR portion a bit before you would expect to see IMC.
