Introduction
The majority of the clearances that you will issue will be IFR clearances. An IFR clearance is an authorization for a pilot to operate in the Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) within the system.We use the acronym CRAFT to help us remember the components of clearances.
CRAFT
There are 5 major components that make up the phraseology used to issue an IFR clearance. They are Clearance, Route, Altitude, Frequency, and Transponder.
Clearance
The first component is the Clearance or Clearance limit. The clearance limit is the farthest point the pilot is allowed to fly before he/she must either continue VFR or request another IFR clearance. The clearance limit can be any point such as an airport, intersection, VOR, etc. In most cases, however, the clearance limit will be an airport. Whenever the type of point is known, state the name followed by the type of point.
Example:
DAL1465, Cleared to Miami International Airport.
The clearance limit is to an airport and there for the name is provided followed by the word “Airport”.
Example:
DAL1465, Cleared to Fairfield VOR.
The clearance limit is to a VOR and there for the name is provided followed by the word “VOR”.
Example:
DAL1465, Cleared to STACO.
The clearance limit is to a waypoint, but the type of waypoint is not known so it is omitted. This is acceptable in this case.
Route
The second component is the Route. The pilot initially selects the route of flight. This route is then validated by clearance to ensure it complies with all SOP’s. Consideration will be given to ensure that any amendments that need to be made will keep the pilot on his/her originally routing to the best of your ability.
Departure Procedures (DP)
Departure Procedures (DP’s) are initial routing assignments flown by the pilot in busy airspace’s that require strict routing standards in order to efficiently handle traffic. In some cases, an airport may not have a DP or the pilot may not have the capability to fly the DP. These pilots should be issued radar vectors in accordance with SOP.
If a route is being issued as is with no DP, state “as filed”.
Example:
DAL1465, Cleared to Miami International Airport, as filed.
If a route is being issued as is with a DP, state the name and current number of the DP followed by “as field”.
Example:
DAL1465, Cleared to Seattle International Airport, TWF4 departure, as filed.
If a route is being issued as is with a DP that has published transitions, state the name and current number of the DP, the assigned transition, followed by “as field”.
Example:
DAL1465, Cleared to Denver International Airport, RUGGD1 departure, PERTY transition, as filed.
Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODP)
Obstacle Departure Procedures are published procedures that keep IFR aircraft clear of obstructions during the departure phase of their flight. ATC will not normally assign ODP’s.
Example:
DAL1465, Cleared to Portland International Airport, depart via the GOWEN3 obstacle departure procedure, as filed.
DAL1465, Cleared to Miami International Airport, depart via the South Valley Regional airport runway 16 departure procedure, as filed.
Radar Vectors
In some cases, an airport may not have a DP or the pilot may not have the capability to fly the DP. These pilots should be issued radar vectors in accordance with SOPs.
If a pilot cannot fly a DP, assign an initial heading for radar vectors in accordance with SOP.
Example:
DAL1465, Cleared to Miami International Airport, fly runway heading, radar vectors ROARR intersection, as filed.
Full Route Clearance
In cases where amendments are made to a pilots filed routing, the new routing will be read to the pilot to ensure complete transparency. When reading the routing to the pilot, read the changed portion followed by the first fix from the original routing being kept. In some cases, reading the entire route may be required to ensure transparency. Follow these rules when reading routes: 1. if flying directly to a point state “direct” followed by the point name and type (if known). 2. if flying an airway to a point state the airway followed by the point the airway will be exited.
Example:
Routing: FFU V21 MLF V235 EHK
DAL1465, Cleared to Cedar City Airport, direct Fairfield VOR, Victor Twenty-one, Milford VOR, Victor Two Thrity-five, Enoch VOR, direct.
When making amendments to a route, read the new route, the first point of the original routing, followed by “as filed”.
Example:
Original Routing: FFU V21 DTA V257 DETAN T298 MLF V235 EHK
New Routing: FFU V21 MLF V235 EHK
DAL1465, Cleared to Cedar City Airport, direct Fairfield VOR, Victor Twenty-one, Milford VOR, as filed.
Altitude
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The third component is the Altitude. Most airspace is very congested and authorizing a pilot to climb to their cruise altitude initially is not possible. For this reason, initial altitude restrictions are required. These restrictions are assigned either by the DP flown or assigned by ATC.
If a DP is filed with a published Top Altitude and altitude and/or speed restrictions state “Climb via SID”.
Example:
DAL1465, cleared to Portland International Airport, DIDLY5 departure, MLP transition, as filed. Climb via SID.
If a DP is filed without a published Top Altitude or the Top Altitude is amended, but contains altitude and/or speed restrictions state “Climb via SID, except maintain (Assigned Top Altitude)”.
Example:
DAL1465, Cleared to Los Angeles International Airport, BOBKT3 departure BIL transition, as filed. Climb via SID, except maintain one six thousand.
If a DP is filed with/without a published Top Altitude and no altitude and/or speed restrictions exist, state “Maintain (Top/Assigned Altitude).”
Example:
DAL1465, Cleared to Miami International Airport, BOI3 departure, as filed. Maintain one six thousand.
If a DP is not filed, state “Maintain (Initial Altitude)”
Example:
DAL1465, Cleared to Miami International Airport as filed. Maintain one six thousand.
Final Altitude
In order to ensure separation between eastbound flying traffic and westbound flying traffic altitudes are assigned based on direction of flight. Pilots usually select altitudes that provide them with the most efficiency. Only contradict their initial request if it does not comply with the following rules. Use the NEODD – SWEVEN rule to remember the rules regarding altitudes.
NEODD:
Aircraft flying on headings 0 – 179° are issued odd numbered altitudes up to FL410. Aircraft flying above FL410 will be assigned altitudes at intervals of 4000 beginning at FL450.
SWEVEN:
Aircraft flying on headings 180 – 359° are issued even numbered altitudes up to FL400. Aircraft flying above FL400 will be assigned altitude at intervals of 4000 beginning at FL430.
Most DP’s tell the pilot to expect their final altitude 10 minutes after departure. If the DP does not state that in the narrative or the pilot is not flying a DP, tell the pilot to expect their final altitude 5 minutes after departure.
Example:
DAL1465, cleared to Miami International Airport, fly runway heading, radar vectors ROARR, as filed. Maintain 16,000. Expect FL290 5 min after departure.
Frequency
The fourth component is the Frequency (also known as the departure frequency). This is the frequency of the departure controller that the pilot will talk to as soon as he/she takes off. In some cases, this may depend on the DP or course of flight being flown on departure. It is the responsibility of the Clearance Delivery controller to know the appropriate departure control frequency.
State “departure frequency” followed by the correct frequency.
Example:
DAL1465, cleared to Portland International Airport, DIDLY5 departure, MLP transition, as filed. Climb via SID. Departure frequency 124.3.
Transponder
The fifth and last component is the Transponder or squawk. This is a 4 digit code that uses numbers 0-7 inclusive. The transponder code is issued by the Clearance Delivery controller when the IFR clearance is requested.
State “squawk” followed by the assigned squawk code.
Example:
DAL1465, cleared to Portland International Airport, DIDLY5 departure, MLP transition, as filed. Climb via SID. Departure frequency 124.3. Squawk 0523.