One of the more intimidating radio exchanges a pilot will have is when they get an instrument clearance. There is a ton of information, it is all important, and ATC tends to speak even faster than usual. Cupertino Aviation is here to help you with these instrument clearance radio call examples.
The way you get your instrument clearance from ATC varies depending on the circumstances. One thing that is consistent, though, is CRAFT. Your clearance will always contain this information and in this order.
C – Clearance limit (usually the airport you are heading to)
R – Route (often “direct” for shorter flights)
A – Altitude
F – Frequency
T – Transponder code
When you get used to hearing the information in this order it becomes much easier to remember and to write down. The FAA has suggested shorthand, although anything that works for you is fine.
Here are some typical scenarios and example radio calls.
From a Towered Field
In this example you are getting your clearance while on the ground at a towered field. (KOMA to KMIW).
459JT: Omaha Clearance, Skyhawk 459JT. IFR to Marshalltown.
Omaha Clearance: Skyhawk 459JT, Omaha Clearance. Cleared to Marshalltown Municipal Airport as filed. Maintain 4000. Expect 7000 10 minutes after departure. Departure frequency 120.1. Squawk 2425.
459JT: Cleared to Marshalltown as filed. 4000. Expect 7000 in 10. 120.1. 2425.
Omaha Clearance: Skyhawk 459JT, readback correct.
From a Non-Towered Field Without a Clearance Frequency
This is an example of getting a clearance at a non-towered field that does not have a clearance frequency. (KBTA to KMCK). You’ll usually call from your mobile phone at the hold short line to get it. This is where a Bluetooth enabled headset is great. Theoretically you could call before engine start to get your clearance and hold for release. In my experience they usually just tell you to call back from the hold short line. In this case (from BTA) you’re calling Omaha Clearance. The phone number and related information is in Foreflight or the Chart Supplement.
459JT: This is Skyhawk 459JT on the ground at Blair. Looking for our IFR to McCook.
Omaha Clearance: Skyhawk 459JT, Omaha Clearance. Cleared to McCook Regional Airport as filed. Maintain 4000. Expect 8000 10 minutes after departure. Departure frequency 120.1. Squawk 2425. Hold for release.
459JT: Cleared to McCook as filed. 4000. Expect 8000 in 10. 120.1. 2425. Hold for release. 459JT.
Omaha Clearance: Skyhawk 459JT, readback correct. Which runway will you be using?
459JT: Runway 13. 459JT.
Omaha Clearance: Roger. Advise ready for departure.
459JT: We’re ready to go. 459JT.
Omaha Clearance: Skyhawk 459JT, released for departure. Clearance void if not off by 1421. Time now 1416. Advise intentions no later than 1435. Upon entering controlled airspace fly heading 260.
459JT: Released for departure. Clearance void if not off by 1421. Heading 260. 459JT.
From a Non-Towered Field With a Clearance Frequency
In this example you are flying from KMLE to KMIW. This example includes a route change. “As filed” is usually what you get, but every now and then you get a mess like this. This example is from a non-towered field that has a frequency for clearances. In this example you can call Omaha Clearance on 125.4 on the ground at Millard. Look in Foreflight or the Chart Supplement for the frequency, or ask around at the FBO.
459JT: Omaha Clearance, Skyhawk 459JT on the ground at Millard. IFR to Marshalltown.
Omaha Clearance: Skyhawk 459JT, Omaha Clearance. I have a route modification for you. Advise ready to copy.
459JT: Ready to copy.
Omaha Clearance: Cleared to Marshalltown Municipal Airport via radar vectors, then direct LINDE (Lima, India, November, Delta, Echo), Newton VOR (that’s Tango November Uniform), VUNDY (Victor, Uniform, November, Delta, Yankee), then Marshalltown. Maintain 3000. Expect 7000 10 minutes after departure. Departure frequency 120.1. Squawk 2425. Hold for release.
459JT: Cleared to Marshalltown via radar vectors, LINDE, Newton VOR, VUNDY. 3000. Expect 7000 in 10. 120.1. 2425. Hold for release. 459JT.
Omaha Clearance: Skyhawk 459JT, readback correct. Which runway will you be using?
459JT: Runway 30. 459JT.
Omaha Clearance: Roger. Advise ready for departure.
459JT: Skyhawk 459JT is ready to go.
Omaha Clearance: Skyhawk 459JT, released for departure. Clearance void if not off by 1513. Time now 1508. Advise intentions no later than 1523. Upon entering controlled airspace fly heading 240.
459JT: Released for departure. Clearance void if not off by 1513. Heading 240. 459JT.
Picking Up Your Clearance In The Air
If you can depart VFR it can be easier to pick up your clearance in the air. You just need to figure out who to call up for it. If you’re within someone’s approach airspace you can call them (e.g., Omaha Approach if from KBTA, KMLE, KCBF, etc). Most of the time from more remote fields it’ll be a Center.
If you choose to pick up your clearance in the air, keep in mind you will need to maintain VFR until you get your clearance. And sometimes ATC can be busy enough that they will not give you your clearance immediately. In this example we’re flying from KFOD to KBTA.
459JT: Minneapolis Center, Skyhawk 459JT. 8 miles southwest of Fort Dodge through 3200. We’d like to pick up our IFR to Blair.
Minneapolis Center: Skyhawk 459JT, Minneapolis Center. Cleared to Blair Executive Airport as filed. Climb and maintain 6000. Squawk 2425.
459JT: Cleared to Blair as filed. 6000. 2425. 459JT.
Minneapolis Center: Skyhawk 459JT, readback correct.
Have a question about radio calls? Ask a ground instructor.