¶ 1. Clearances
¶ 1.1. IFR Clearance
Within FAA jurisdiction, all IFR clearances must follow the following standard: C-R-A-F-T
Clearance Limit (Destination Airport)
Route (Departure procedure and/or Routing)
Altitude (Initial climb)
Frequency (Departure Frequency)
Transponder (Squawk Code)
¶ 1.1.1 RNAV SIDs - Climb Via SID
Example: KLAX SUMMR2 SID
Cleared to Tokyo Narita International Airport, SUMMR2 departure, MCKEY transition, then as filed. Climb via the sid, expect FL320 10 minutes after departure. Departure frequency 125.2, squawk 7260.
¶ 1.1.2 RNAV SIDs - Initial Climb
Example: KMIA ALTNN# SID
Cleared to Whiteplains Airport, via the ALTNN1 departure, DUCEN transition, (then) as filed. Maintain 5000, expect FL400 10 minutes after departure. Departure frequency 119.45, squawk 3551.
¶ 1.1.3 Radar Vectors
Example: KORD ORD# SID
Cleared to Fort Lauderdale Intl airport, via the O’Hare 7 departure, radar vectors DENNT, then as filed. Maintain 5000, expect FL350 10mins after departure, departure frequency 126.625, Squawk 1234.
¶ 1.1.4 Hybrid SIDs (Radar Vectors / RNAV)
Example: KJFK DEEZZ# SID
Cleared to Denver International airport, via the DEEZZ5 departure, TOWIN transition, radar vectors DEEZZ, then as filed. Maintain 5000, expect FL320 10 minutes after departure. Departure frequency 125.2, squawk 7260.
¶ 1.1.5 Airport with NO SID (Radar Vectors)
Cleared to Denver International airport as filed. Maintain 5000, expect FL320 10 minutes after departure. Departure frequency 125.2, squawk 7260.
¶ 1.2. VFR
¶ 1.2.1. Departures
¶ 1.2.1.1 Class B
Cleared out of the the Miami class Bravo airspace, departure to the north. Maintain VFR at or below 2500 until further advised, squawk 0740.
¶ 1.2.1.2 Class C
With Flight Following
VFR departure approved, maintain VFR at or below 2500 until further advised, squawk 0244.
Without Following
VFR departure approved, maintain VFR at or below 2500 until further advised.
¶ 1.2.1.3 Class D
With Flight Following
Squawk 0244, runway 23, taxi via C, and E.
Without Flight Following
Runway 23, taxi via C, and E.
¶ 1.2.1.4 Class E & G
Not required to contact ATC. (Non-towered airfields)
¶ 1.2.2. Traffic Pattern
¶ 1.2.2.1 Class B
Cleared through the Miami class Bravo airspace, expect left traffic runway 8L, pattern altitude 1000, squawk 0704.
¶ 1.2.2.2 Class C and Class D
Expect left/right traffic runway 17L, taxi via A.
¶ 1.3. Helicopters
¶ 1.2.1. Departures
Cleared out of the Los Angeles class Bravo airspace, departure to the south, maintain VFR at or below 500, squawk 0704. Advise ready for departure.
¶ 1.2.1. Arrivals
WIP
¶ 1.2.1. Transitions
WIP
¶ 2. Ground
¶ 2.1. Pushback and Startup
¶ 2.1.1. None-Movement Areas (Parking Aprons)
Push and start at your discretion, expect runway 9R for departure, advise ready to taxi.
Push and start at your discretion, face east, expect runway 21L for departure, advise ready to taxi.
Push and start at your discretion, use caution, Airbus A330 currently pushing on your left. Expect runway 21L for departure, advise ready to taxi.
¶ 2.1.2. Movement Areas (Taxiways)
Standby for pushback, Airbus A330 currently pushing back into the alleyway.
Pushback and startup onto taxiway Kilo approved, face South, expect runway 25R for departure, advise ready to taxi.
¶ 2.2. Taxi (Departing)
¶ 2.2.1. Taxi to Departure Runway
Runway 23, taxi via Delta, hold short of runway 23.
¶ 2.2.2. Taxi to Departure Runway (with crossing clearance)
Initial Taxi Instruction:
Runway 25L, taxi via taxi via Alpha, Foxtrott, hold short runway 25R.
Upon Reaching:
Cross runway 25R at Foxtrott.
Hold short runway 25R at Foxtrott (reason).
¶ 2.3. Taxi (Arriving)
Pilots should not report on blocks. Do not make any frequency change to unicom. If a pilot reports on blocks, simply say "roger” 😎.
¶ Aircraft vacating runway:
Callsign, say parking.
¶ After pilot responds with parking spot:
Gate 45C, taxi via Lima, Bravo, to the ramp.
Terminal Delta, taxi via H, G, F.
Taxi to Cargo City ramp via T, Y, R.
Taxi to terminal 4 via left on A, right on N.
¶ 3. Take-off Clearances
¶ 3.1 Line Up and Wait
Runway 35R, Line up and wait runway.
¶ 3.2 IFR
¶ RNAV SID
RNAV DOCKR, wind 090 at 11, Runway 8R, cleared for takeoff.
¶ Radar Vector SID
Fly heading 090, wind 090 at 11, Runway 8R, cleared for takeoff.
¶ RVR
Runway 18L RVR touchdown 1400, midpoint 600, rollout 1800, fly heading 170, cleared for takeoff.
¶ Intersection Departure
(Departure instruction), wind 090 at 11, Runway 8L at Zulu, cleared for takeoff.
¶ Takeoff Clearance with Wake Turbulence Caution
(departure instructions), caution wake turbulence behind departing Boeing 747, wind 290 at 7, runway 12, cleared for takeoff.
¶ Cancel Takeoff
Cancel takeoff clearance, vehicle on runway.
¶ 3.3 VFR
¶ 3.3.1 Take-off
Departure to the South approved, turn left at the shoreline, wind 270 at 7, runway 25L, cleared for takeoff.
Join left downwind, report midfield with intentions, wind 270 at 7, runway 25L, cleared for takeoff.
¶ 3.3.2 Leaving the airspace (without flight following)
Class B & C
radar services terminated. Squawk VFR, frequency change approved.
Class D
you are leaving my airspace to the north, squawk VFR, frequency change approved.
¶ 3.3.1 Leaving the airspace (with flight following)
contact Miami Approach 120.5.
¶ 3.3.3 Helicopters
departure will be at your own risk, wind 230 at 10, departure is approved.
departure will be at your own risk,wind 230 at 10, remain North of the South runways, departure is approved.
¶ 4. Local Traffic (VFR)
¶ 4.1 VFR Arrivals
¶ 4.1.1 Class B
Squawk 0201.
Cleared into the Miami class Bravo airspace, enter left downwind runway 8L, report midfield downwind
¶ 4.1.2 Class C
Squawk 0201
Enter left downwind runway 8L, report midfield downwind.
¶ 4.1.3 Class D
Enter left downwind runway 8L, report midfield downwind.
¶ 4.2 VFR in the Pattern
Approve/disapprove pilot requests to remain in closed traffic for successive operations subject to local traffic conditions.
LEFT/RIGHT (if required) CLOSED TRAFFIC APPROVED. REPORT (position if required),
or
UNABLE CLOSED TRAFFIC, (additional information as required).
Wind 250 at 6, runway 8L, cleared for the option.
Make left 270-to-base, wind 250 at 6, runway 8L, cleared for the option.
Number 2, following a Caravan on downwind. Report in sight and state your intentions.
Orbit northeast, left turns, expect 10-minute delay.
Turn crosswind to follow traffic.
Extend downwind to follow traffic on final.
Continue downwind. I will call your base.
Report 1 mile left base runway 27
Make left 360.
Join right traffic on upwind.
Make short appraoch.
¶ 4.4 Special VFR
¶ 4.4.1 Authorization
CLEARED TO ENTER/OUT OF/THROUGH, (name) SURFACE AREA MAINTAIN SPECIAL V-F-R CONDITIONs.
CLEARED TO ENTER/OUT OF/THROUGH (direction) OF (name) AIRPORT (specified routing), (name) SURFACE AREA MAINTAIN SPECIAL V-F-R CONDITIONs AT OR BELOW (altitude below 10,000 feet MSL)
¶ 4.4.2 Delay
EXPECT (number) MINUTES DELAY, (additional instructions as necessary).
¶ 4.4.2 Altitude Assignment
MAINTAIN SPECIAL V-F-R CONDITIONS AT OR BELOW (altitude).
¶ 4.4.3 Local Operations
LOCAL SPECIAL V-F-R OPERATIONS IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF (name) AIRPORT ARE AUTHORIZED UNTIL (time). MAINTAIN SPECIAL V-F-R CONDITIONS.
¶ 4.4.4 Climb to VFR
CLIMB TO V-F-R WITHIN (name) SURFACE AREA/WITHIN (a specified distance) MILES FROM (airport name) AIRPORT, MAINTAIN SPECIAL V-F-R CONDITIONS UNTIL REACHING V-F-R.
¶ 4.4.5 Ground Visibility below 1 mile
(Name of airport) VISIBILITY LESS THAN 1 MILE. ADVISE INTENTIONS.
Reference: 7110.65 7-5-1 Special VFR
¶ 5. Landing Clearances
Reference: 7110.65 3-10-5 Landing Clearance
¶ 5.1 Normal Landing Clearance
RUNWAY (number) CLEARED TO LAND.
¶ 5.2 USA/USN/USAF
Issue runway identifier along with surface wind
RUNWAY (number), WIND (surface wind direction and velocity), CLEARED TO LAND.
¶ 5.3 Traffic authorized to LUAW on the same runway
“Delta One, Runway One-Eight, continue, traffic holding in position.”
“Delta One, Runway One-Eight, cleared to land. Traffic holding in position.”
“Twin Cessna Four Four Golf, Runway One-Niner base approved, traffic holding in position."
“Baron Two Five Foxtrot, Runway One-Niner Right extend downwind, tower will call your base, traffic holding in position."
¶ 5.4 Anticipating Separation
Landing clearance to succeeding aircraft in a landing sequence need not be withheld if you observe the positions of the aircraft and determine that prescribed runway separation will exist when the aircraft crosses the landing threshold. Issue traffic information to the succeeding aircraft if a preceding arrival has not been previously reported and when traffic will be departing prior to their arrival.
“American Two Forty-Five, Runway One-Eight, cleared to land, number two following a United Seven-Thirty-Seven two mile final. Traffic will depart prior to your arrival.”
“American Two Forty-Five, Runway One-Eight, cleared to land. Traffic will depart prior to your arrival.”
NOTE-
Landing sequence number is optional at tower facilities where the arrival sequence to the runway is established by the approach control.
¶ 5.5 The Option
Wind 095 at 7, runway 8L, cleared for the option.
Wind 095 at 7, runway 8L, cleared for the option, except stop-and-go.
¶ 5.6 Touch-and-Go, Stop-and-Go, Low Approach
Wind 095 at 7, runway 8L, cleared touch-and-go.
Wind 095 at 7, runway 8L, cleared stop-and-go.
Wind 095 at 7, runway 8L, cleared low-approach.
¶ 5.7 RVR
RVR touchdown 1400, midpoint 600, rollout 1800, ruwnay 18L, cleared to land.
¶ 5.8 Helicopters
Wind 240 at 5, make straight-in approach to Signature, landing will be at your own risk, report landing assured.
¶ Runway Exiting
TURN LEFT/RIGHT (taxiway/runway),
or
IF ABLE, TURN LEFT/RIGHT (taxiway/runway)
and if required
HOLD SHORT OF (runway).
“turn right next taxiway, cross runway two one, contact ground point seven.”
“turn right on Alfa/next taxiway, cross Bravo, hold short of Charlie, contact ground point seven.”
NOTE-
Runway exiting or taxi instructions should not normally be issued to an aircraft prior to, or immediately after, touchdown.
Taxi instructions must be provided to the aircraft by the local controller when:
- Compliance with ATC instructions will be required before the aircraft can change to ground control, or
- The aircraft will be required to enter an active runway in order to taxi clear of the landing runway.
¶ 6. Missed Approach
Callsign, go around, traffic on runway, fly runway heading, maintain 3000, contact departure 120.5.
¶ 7. Departures
¶ 7.1 RNAV Climb-via SID
Callsign, Las Vegas Departure, radar contact, continue climb via the sid.
¶ 7.2 RNAV SID
Callsign, Miami Departure, radar contact, climb and maintain 16000.
¶ 7.3 Radar Vector SID
Callsign, Miami Departure, radar contact, climb and maintain 16000, proceed direct GWAVA.
¶ 8. Arrivals
¶ 8.1 Initial Call
The examples contain multiple parts in one single transmission (descend, heading, expected approach). However, these items can also be given in their own transmission.
AAL123, Miami Approach, Miami altimeter 2992, descend and maintain 6000, fly heading 240, expect radar vectors ILS runway 24R approach.
¶ 8.2 Standard Terminal Arrival Route (STAR)
¶ 8.2.1 RNAV Arrival
After GAWKS, cleared FROGZ 3 arrival, Miami is landing east.
Descend via FROGZ 3 arrival, expect ILS runway 8R approach.
¶ 8.2.2 Non-RNAV Arrival
After ZEUSS, cleared FOWEE 2 arrival.
Join FOWEE 2 arrival, descend and maintain 11000.
Join FOWEE 2 arrival, at pilots discretion descend and maintain 11000.
Descend and maintain, cross JUNUR at 11000.
¶ 8.3 Instrument Approach
Within FAA jurisdiction, all instrument approach clearances must follow the PTAC standard:
| P | T | A | C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Turn | Altitude | Clearance |
| 4 miles from DNNIS | 070 | 2000 | ILS 4 |
DAL877, 4 miles from DNNIS, turn left heading 070, 2000 until established, cleared ILS runway 4 approach.
¶ 8.4 Visual Approach
ATC: N123, airport 12 o’clock, 8 miles, report in sight.
Pilot: field in sight, N123.
ATC: N123, cleared visual approach runway 8L.
¶ 9. Generic Phrases
¶ 9.1 Navigation
Basic Heading (always in 5° increments)
Turn left heading 215
Heading with reason (unless already on vectors).
turn left heading 215, vectors ILS runway 22R approach.
Heading but turn direction is ommited
Fly heading heading 215.
Conditional heading. Aircraft is requested to fly a heading after passing a specific point or altitude.
Depart CAMRN heading 215.
Passing 5000, turn right heading 100.
Heading by 10° increments left or right
Turn right two-zero degrees.
¶ 9.2 Climb/Descend
¶ 9.2.1 Descend
Descend and maintain FL240
Descend and maintain one one thousand.
Descend via the Bonefish 2 arrival, expect ILS 8R.
Descend at pilots discretion, cross CASTT at or above one two thousand.
When ready, descend and maintain five thousand, cross CASTT at eight thousand.
¶ 9.2.3 Climb
Climb and maintain one one thousand.
Climb and maintain FL240
Climb via the sid.
¶ 9.3 Traffic Information
Traffic, 12 O’Clock, 1 mile, left-to-right, Cessna Skyhawk, at 1000, report traffic in sight.
Traffic, 2 O’Clock, 2 miles, eastbound, Boeing 737, descending through 2000, approaching runway 9 at Miami Intl’, report traffic in sight.
¶ 9.4 Cancellation of clearance / restriction
Approach clearance cancelled, (reason).
Speed restriction cancelled.
Take off clearance cancelled.
¶ 9.5 VFR Flight Following
Altimeter 2992, squawk 0201
Radar contact, maintain VFR and resume own navigation.
¶ 9.6 Holdings
¶ 9.6.1 Non-published Holdings
At a minimum, the only information you need is the location, the radial, and the EFC time
CLEARED TO (fix), HOLD (direction) OF (fix/waypoint) ON (specified radial, course, bearing, track, airway, azimuth(s), or route.) (number of minutes/miles) MINUTE/MILE LEG, LEFT/RIGHT TURNS.
Hold east of the Ormond VORTAC on the 090 radial, left turns, maintain 5,000,’ expect further clearance 0120z
Hold east of the Ormond VORTAC on the 180 radial, left turns, 2 min leg, maintain 14,000,’ expect further clearance 0120z
Controllers shall always issue complete holding instructions when pilots request them
¶ 9.6.2 Published Holdings
When charted, the controller may omit all holding instructions, except the charted holding direction and the statement “as published”
CLEARED TO (fix), HOLD (direction), AS PUBLISHED, EXPECT FURTHER CLEARANCE (time).
Cleared to Palm Beach VOR, hold west, as published, expect further clearance 2130.
Cleared to Drewe, hold west, as published, expect further clearance via direct Sidney V-O-R one three one five, anticipate additional two zero minute delay at Woody.”
Cleared to Wally, hold north, as published, delay indefinite, snow removal in progress, expect further clearance one one three zero.
¶ 9.6.3 Issuing Weather Information
Precipitation
Area of (intensity & type) between (directions), (distance), moving (direction) at (speed), area is (size) in diameter, cloud tops (FL), deviation (direction) off-course approved, state intentions.
Area of moderate to heavy precipitation at your 12 o’clock, five miles, moving east at 15 knots, cloud tops 390, state intentions.
Area of heavy precipitation between 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock, one five miles. Area is two five miles in diameter, state intentions.
Area of heavy to extreme precipitation between ten o’clock and two o’clock, one five miles. Area is two five miles in diameter, state intentions.
Area of moderate precipitation between one o’clock and three o’clock, three five miles moving south at one five knots, tops flight level three three zero. Area is three zero miles in diameter, intensity unknown, state intentions.
Hazardous Inflight Weather Advisory
Controllers must advise pilots of hazardous weather that may impact operations within 150 NM of their sector or area of jurisdiction. Controllers are required to disseminate data based on the operational impact on the sector or area of control jurisdiction. Controllers must broadcast a hazardous inflight weather advisory on all frequencies:
ATTENTION ALL AIRCRAFT. HAZARDOUS WEATHER INFORMATION (SIGMET, Convective SIGMET, AIRMET, Urgent Pilot Weather Report (UUA), or Center Weather Advisory (CWA), Number or Numbers) FOR (specific weather phenomenon) WITHIN (geographical area), AVAILABLE ON FLIGHT SERVICE FREQUENCIES.
AIRMET and SIGMET example:
Precipitation example 1:
Precipitation example 2:
Reference: 7110.65 2-6-6 HAZARDOUS INFLIGHT WEATHER ADVISORY
¶ 9.6.4 Deviation
If traffic and airspace permit, combine the approval for weather deviation with a clearance on course.
Deviation left off course approved, when able proceed direct URSUS.
Deviation 30 degrees left approved, when able fly heading zero niner zero, vector to join J324 and advise.
Deviation 20 degrees right approved, when able proceed direct O’Neill VORTAC and advise.
Deviation 30 degrees left approved, when able fly heading zero niner zero, vector to join J324 and advise.
Unable requested deviation, turn thirty degrees right vector for traffic, advise clear of weather.
Reference: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/atc_html/chap2_section_6.html
¶ 10. IFR Clearance at a Non-Towered Airport
Pilot: Cessna 9334H on the ground at Carroll County requesting IFR clearance to Allentown
ATC: N9334H, Cleared to Allentown Airport as filed, maintain 3000, expect 7000 10 minutes after departure, departure frequency 125.52 squawk 3217. Hold for release.
Pilot: Cleared to Allentown Airport as filed, maintain 3000, expect 7000 10 minutes after departure, departure frequency 125.52 squawk 3217, hold for release.
ATC: Cessna 34H readback correct, advise ready for departure.
Pilot: Ready for departure at Carroll County.
ATC: Cessna 34H, released for departure at 1950z, clearance void if not off by 1955z, advise intentions no later than 2005z. Upon entering controlled airspace fly heading 020.
(After pilot readback and takeoff)
Pilot: Cessna 9334H departed Carroll County climbing out of 1,300 for 3,000, on heading 020.
ATC: Cessna 34H, radar contact 1800. After passing 2000 turn right direct Lancaster when able.
¶ Changes
| Date | Chapter | Paragraph | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2014 | - | - | Initial Version |
| March 2018 | All | All | Complete Update |
| February 2022 | All | All | Consolidated document |
| March 2023 | All | All | Conversion from PDF to Wiki, added NavCanada phraseology |
| August 2023 | 10 | All | Added chapter 10. |
| November 2023 | 1, 2 | All | Added audio files. |
| Feb 2024 | 9 | 9.6.3/4 | Added |
| Mar 2024 | - | - | Migrated to new domain |