AIM

8/15/19

5

−

2

−

3

Departure Procedures

that you confirm a takeoff clearance rather than
mistake another aircraft’s clearance for your own.

g.

When ATC issues intersection “line up and

wait” and takeoff clearances, the intersection
designator will be used. If ATC omits the intersection
designator, call ATC for clarification.

EXAMPLE

−

Aircraft: “Cherokee 234AR, Runway 24L at November 4,
line up and wait.”

h.

If landing traffic is a factor during line up and

wait operations, ATC will inform the aircraft in
position of the closest traffic within 6 flying miles
requesting a full

−

stop, touch

−

and

−

go, stop

−

and

−

go,

or an unrestricted low approach to the same runway.
Pilots should take care to note the position of landing
traffic. ATC will also advise the landing traffic when
an aircraft is authorized to “line up and wait” on the
same runway.

EXAMPLE

−

Tower: “Cessna 234AR, Runway 24L, line up and wait.
Traffic a Boeing 737, six mile final.”
Tower: “Delta 1011, continue, traffic a Cessna 210
holding in position Runway 24L.”

NOTE

−

ATC will normally withhold landing clearance to arrival
aircraft when another aircraft is in position and holding on
the runway.

i.

Never land on a runway that is occupied by

another aircraft, even if a landing clearance was
issued. Do not hesitate to ask the controller about the
traffic on the runway and be prepared to execute a
go

−

around.

NOTE

−

Always clarify any misunderstanding or confusion
concerning ATC instructions or clearances. ATC should be
advised immediately if there is any uncertainty about the
ability to comply with any of their instructions.

5

−

2

−

6. Abbreviated IFR Departure

Clearance (Cleared. . .as Filed) Procedures

a.

ATC facilities will issue an abbreviated IFR

departure clearance based on the ROUTE of flight
filed in the IFR flight plan, provided the filed route
can be approved with little or no revision. These
abbreviated clearance procedures are based on the
following conditions:

1.

The aircraft is on the ground or it has departed

visual flight rules (VFR) and the pilot is requesting
IFR clearance while airborne.

2.

That a pilot will not accept an abbreviated

clearance if the route or destination of a flight plan
filed with ATC has been changed by the pilot or the
company or the operations officer before departure.

3.

That it is the responsibility of the company or

operations office to inform the pilot when they make
a change to the filed flight plan.

4.

That it is the responsibility of the pilot to

inform ATC in the initial call-up (for clearance) when
the filed flight plan has been either:

(a)

Amended, or

(b)

Canceled and replaced with a new filed

flight plan.

NOTE

−

The facility issuing a clearance may not have received the
revised route or the revised flight plan by the time a pilot
requests clearance.

b.

Controllers will issue a detailed clearance when

they know that the original filed flight plan has been
changed or when the pilot requests a full route
clearance.

c.

The clearance as issued will include the

destination airport filed in the flight plan.

d.

ATC procedures now require the controller to

state the DP name, the current number and the DP
transition name after the phrase “Cleared to
(destination) airport” and prior to the phrase, “then as
filed,” for ALL departure clearances when the DP or
DP transition is to be flown. The procedures apply
whether or not the DP is filed in the flight plan.

e.

STARs, when filed in a flight plan, are

considered a part of the filed route of flight and will
not normally be stated in an initial departure
clearance. If the ARTCC’s jurisdictional airspace
includes both the departure airport and the fix where
a STAR or STAR transition begins, the STAR name,
the current number and the STAR transition name
MAY be stated in the initial clearance.

f.

“Cleared to (destination) airport as filed” does

NOT include the en route altitude filed in a flight plan.
An en route altitude will be stated in the clearance or
the pilot will be advised to expect an assigned or filed
altitude within a given time frame or at a certain point
after departure. This may be done verbally in the
departure instructions or stated in the DP.