AIM
4/3/14
4−4−9
ATC Clearances and Aircraft Separation
or as required to ensure compliance with 14 CFR
Section 91.117.
EXAMPLE
−
(An aircraft is flying a SID/STAR with published speed
restrictions. ATC issues a speed adjustment and instructs
the aircraft where the adjustment ends): “Maintain two two
zero knots until BALTR then resume published speed.”
NOTE
−
The ATC assigned speed assignment of two two zero knots
would apply until BALTR. The aircraft would then comply
with the published speed restrictions.
4.
Advise the pilot to “delete speed restrictions”
when either ATC assigned or published speed
restrictions on a charted procedure are no longer
required.
EXAMPLE
−
(An aircraft is flying a SID with published speed
restrictions designed to prevent aircraft overtake on
departure. ATC determines there is no conflicting traffic
and deletes the speed restriction): “Delete speed
restrictions.”
NOTE
−
When deleting published restrictions, ATC must ensure
obstacle clearance until aircraft are established on a route
where no published restrictions apply. This does not relieve
the pilot of those speed restrictions which are applicable to
14 CFR Section 91.117.
g.
Approach clearances supersede any prior speed
adjustment assignments, and pilots are expected to
make their own speed adjustments as necessary to
complete the approach. However, under certain
circumstances, it may be necessary for ATC to issue
further speed adjustments after approach clearance is
issued to maintain separation between successive
arrivals. Under such circumstances, previously
issued speed adjustments will be restated if that speed
is to be maintained or additional speed adjustments
are requested. Speed adjustments should not be
assigned inside the final approach fix on final or a
point 5 miles from the runway, whichever is closer to
the runway.
h.
The pilots retain the prerogative of rejecting the
application of speed adjustment by ATC if the
minimum safe airspeed for any particular operation is
greater than the speed adjustment.
NOTE
−
In such cases, pilots are expected to advise ATC of the
speed that will be used.
i.
Pilots are reminded that they are responsible for
rejecting the application of speed adjustment by ATC
if, in their opinion, it will cause them to exceed the
maximum indicated airspeed prescribed by 14 CFR
Section 91.117(a), (c) and (d). IN SUCH CASES,
THE PILOT IS EXPECTED TO SO INFORM ATC.
Pilots operating at or above 10,000 feet MSL who are
issued speed adjustments which exceed 250 knots
IAS and are subsequently cleared below 10,000 feet
MSL are expected to comply with 14 CFR
Section 91.117(a).
j.
Speed restrictions of 250 knots do not apply to
U.S. registered aircraft operating beyond 12 nautical
miles from the coastline within the U.S. Flight
Information Region, in Class E airspace below
10,000 feet MSL. However, in airspace underlying a
Class B airspace area designated for an airport, or in
a VFR corridor designated through such as a Class B
airspace area, pilots are expected to comply with the
200 knot speed limit specified in 14 CFR
Section 91.117(c).
k.
For operations in a Class C and Class D surface
area, ATC is authorized to request or approve a speed
greater than the maximum indicated airspeeds
prescribed for operation within that airspace (14 CFR
Section 91.117(b)).
NOTE
−
Pilots are expected to comply with the maximum speed of
200 knots when operating beneath Class B airspace or in
a Class B VFR corridor (14 CFR Section 91.117(c)
and (d)).
l.
When in communications with the ARTCC or
approach control facility, pilots should, as a good
operating practice, state any ATC assigned speed
restriction on initial radio contact associated with an
ATC communications frequency change.
4
−
4
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13. Runway Separation
Tower controllers establish the sequence of arriving
and departing aircraft by requiring them to adjust
flight or ground operation as necessary to achieve
proper spacing. They may “HOLD” an aircraft short
of the runway to achieve spacing between it and an
arriving aircraft; the controller may instruct a pilot to
“EXTEND DOWNWIND” in order to establish
spacing from an arriving or departing aircraft. At
times a clearance may include the word “IMMEDI-
ATE.” For example: “CLEARED FOR
IMMEDIATE TAKEOFF.” In such cases “IMMEDI-
ATE” is used for purposes of air traffic separation. It
is up to the pilot to refuse the clearance if, in the pilot’s