IFH Chapter 10

Flight Plan

IFR Clearances

Departure Procedures

Flight Information Publications

IFR En route ChartsScales Vary

Revised 56 day cycle

U.S. Terminal Procedures PublicationRevised 56 day cycle

Flight Information Publications

Airport Facility Directory

Aeronautical Information Manual

Notices to AirmanD, FDC, published 28 day cycle

Advisory CircularsInformation and procedures

www.faa.gov

IFR Flight Plan

• FAR 91.173

– Required for IFR

• 1-800-WX-BRIEF

• DUATS

• Radio FSS

• File 30 minutes prior to ETDIFR flight plan cancelled by:

ATCT when landing at controlled airport.

Pilot when landing at uncontrolled airport

VFR flight plan must be cancelled by pilot

Elements of IFR Clearance

Restrictions to IFR Clearance

Composite Flight Plan-Pilot files both IFR and VFR

VFR-IFR

Activate VFR with FSS

Close VFR with FSS

Request IFR portion with FSS

IFR-VFR

ATC clearance for IFR

When VFR, cancel IFR with ATC

Request VFR portion with FSS

Elements of IFR Clearance

Tower En route Clearance (TEC)

Published in A/FD and Jeppessen Manual

Intended for < 2 hour flights, non-jet and below 10,000 MSL.

Route links adjacent approach control facilities

“TEC” in remarks section of Flight Plan

Elements of IFR Clearance

Elements of IFR Clearance

Clearance Limit

Usually flight planned destination

Short Range Clearance

Cleared to a fix until radar contact is made

Departing non-radar

EFC – Expect Further Clearance time

often issued in conjunction with Holding

Elements of IFR Clearance

Departure Procedure- DP

Headings, Courses and Altitudes to maintain

SID, DP, ODP-Pilot must have at least textual description

“NO DP” in remarks of Flight Plan

Route of Flight

“Cleared as Filed” aka abbreviated clearance, as filed by pilot

ATC Preferred Route

Elements of IFR Clearances

Altitude Data

ATC will advise “maintain” a given altitude “Maintain 5,000”

ATC will advise “expect” when higher is available “Maintain 5,000, expect 7,000, 10 minutes after departure”

ATC could advise “cruise” on short or uncongested routes

ATC Clearances

Cruise Clearance:“Cessna 1230 Alpha, Cleared to Doeville airport,

Direct, Cruise 5000”

•“Cruise” authorizes pilot to fly any altitude in block of airspace from MIA up to 5,000 MSL

•Climb or descent in block is at pilot discretion

•Once pilot reports vacating an altitude, may not return without ATC clearance

•Cruise clearance authorizes IAP at destination

•Short distance, Low Density Traffic, Low Altitude

Elements of IFR Clearance

Holding Clearances:

Published or Charted:

Direction FROM fix

Fix Name

EFC

Un-Published or un Charted includes above and:

Holding Course –Radial, Bearing, Airway

Outbound time or DME legs

Non standard pattern if used

Elements of IFR Clearance

Departure Restrictions

Release Time:

Specifies earliest time to depart

Due to traffic saturation, weather

Hold for Release:

May not depart until after release time

Due to local conditions

Clearance Void Time:

Issued at uncontrolled airports

Must depart at specified time or update FSS

ATC ClearancesVFR on Top

Prohibited in Class A

ATC Cannot Initiate-Pilot Requested Only

ATC informs pilot of reported Tops

Pilot Advises of altitude changes

Pilot complies with:

VFR cruising altitudes

Basic VFR Weather Minimums

Applicable IFR rules pertaining to:

MIA, Position Reports, Communications, Navigation

Pilot must obtain amended clearance if unable VFR

Pilot must See and Avoid (ATC advisories ONLY)

ATC Clearances

Climb to VFR on Top

Used to climb from IMC to VMC

Can be filed or requested by pilot

Request made with Ground Control or CLNC Delivery

Pilot maintains responsibility for See and Avoid

Departure ProceduresPreplanned Departure Procedures

Graphical

•Obstacle Departure Procedure (ODP)– Provide obstacle clearance to en route structure

– ATC clearance not required

– Pilot flies ODP unless SID is assigned

– Found in IFR Takeoff Minimums section of TPP

•Standard Instrument Departure (SID)– Provide obstacle clearance and route transition

– Reduce pilot/controller work load

– ATC clearance required

– Found with IAPs

Departure Procedures

• Use of DP requires possession of at least textual description of the procedure

• If DP not desired or in possession pilot may file “NO DP” in remarks of flight plan

• If DP is accepted in clearance, compliance is required

• DPs may be Pilot Nav or Radar Vector

Radar Controlled Departure

• Departures from congested areas

• ATCT advises initial heading to fly

• TRACON advises radar contact and provides headings, altitudes, climb instructions

• TRACON advises “resume own navigation”