The phrases
Clearance, phrase by phrase
Obtain ATC clearance
Use this call early in the ground preparation sequence, normally before pushback, engine start or taxi. Clearance Delivery issues the initial clearance at most large aerodromes, while Tower performs that role where a separate delivery position is not available. The reply establishes the destination, route, level and departure instructions. The crew must receive and correctly read back that clearance before requesting movement.
Pilot
[station], [callsign], [aircraft type], REQUEST ATC CLEARANCE
ATC
[callsign], CLEARED TO [destination], FLIGHT LEVEL [final level], AFTER DEPARTURE [heading, altitude, turn and radial], CLIMB TO [intermediate level], THEREAFTER RESUME NORMAL NAVIGATION, CLIMBING TO [final level]
Pilot
Hyderabad Clearance Delivery, Vistara 815, Boeing 787, request ATC clearance.
ATC
Vistara 815, Hyderabad Clearance Delivery, cleared to Goa at flight level three three zero. After departure, maintain runway heading two seven zero while climbing to three thousand feet. Turn left, intercept radial two four five at one four DME or less. Climb to flight level one six zero. Thereafter resume normal navigation while climbing to flight level three three zero.
Pilot
Cleared to Goa at flight level three three zero. After departure, maintain runway heading two seven zero while climbing to three thousand feet. Turn left, intercept radial two four five at one four DME or less. Climb to flight level one six zero. Thereafter resume normal navigation while climbing to flight level three three zero, Vistara 815.
- The opening request is deliberately short. The unit knows the aircraft is at its assigned stand, and the filed flight plan already contains the proposed destination and route.
- The reply is a full vector departure rather than a named SID clearance. It links the initial runway heading, a height, a turn, a radial intercept, a DME limit, an intermediate level and a return to normal navigation.
- Flight level one six zero applies only to the initial climb. The instruction to continue to flight level three three zero makes three three zero the authorised cruising level unless ATC issues a revised clearance.
- Use the standard sequence as a checklist: destination and final level, departure heading and altitude, turn and intercept, intermediate level, then normal navigation and the continuing climb.
- Read back every operating instruction. Pay particular attention to runway heading, altitude, radial, DME limit and flight levels. Any missing or incorrect item must be clarified before pushback.
- At one four DME or less permits an earlier intercept, not a later one. The crew may turn sooner to suit the climb, provided the radial is captured by that distance.
- After a correct readback, make a separate call for pushback or engine start when ready. Neither request grants takeoff clearance, which must be issued later by the appropriate controller.
- If the route, requested level or departure instructions change before movement, ask for an amended clearance. Read back the revised portion and repeat any unchanged restriction that remains applicable.
Reference: ICAO Doc 9432
Reading back a route clearance
When ATC issues an IFR route clearance before or during taxi.
Pilot
[callsign], request clearance to [destination].
ATC
[callsign], cleared to [destination] via [route], initial climb [level], squawk [code].
Pilot
Kolkata Ground, Skyline 345, information Alpha, request clearance to Delhi.
ATC
Skyline 345, cleared to Delhi via filed route, initial climb four thousand feet, squawk two one zero seven.
Pilot
Cleared to Delhi via filed route, initial climb four thousand feet, squawk two one zero seven, Skyline 345.
ATC
Skyline 345, readback correct.
- Write the clearance while it is passed slowly, then read back destination, route, initial level and transponder code.
- A route clearance is not permission to start, push, taxi, enter a runway or take off.
- Wait for the controller to confirm the readback before treating the clearance as accepted.
Reference: ICAO Doc 9432, 2.8.3
Request ATIS
Request current ATIS when its VHF broadcast has not been received clearly or an earlier copy may have been overtaken by a new edition. State any information letter already held so the controller can identify the cycle you have.
Pilot
[station], [callsign], UNABLE TO COPY ATIS ON [frequency], REQUEST CURRENT INFORMATION
ATC
[callsign], [station], INFORMATION [letter] CURRENT [or complete ATIS read-out]
Pilot
Hyderabad Ground, IndiGo 5231, stand one two, unable to copy ATIS on one two eight decimal five, request current information
ATC
IndiGo 5231, Hyderabad Ground, information Hotel is current, runway two seven right, wind two seven zero degrees eight knots, QNH one zero one four
Pilot
Runway two seven right, QNH one zero one four, information Hotel, IndiGo 5231
- On first contact, provide an ATIS letter only if you have actually received that edition, for example, "information Hotel". This allows the controller to verify whether your copy is still valid.
- When a replacement cycle is issued, the controller may pass only the changed portions. Record these differences and retain the unaffected details from your previous copy.
Reference: ICAO Doc 9432
Request Departure Clearance (IFR)
An IFR aircraft contacts the delivery station before pushback to obtain its route and departure release. The clearance normally states the destination, routing, departure procedure, initial and expected levels, transponder code and any additional restrictions.
Pilot
[station], [callsign], STAND [stand number], REQUEST IFR CLEARANCE FOR [destination], INFORMATION [atis letter]
ATC
[callsign], CLEARED TO [destination] VIA [route details], CLIMB [initial level], EXPECT [final level] [time], SQUAWK [code]
Pilot
Bengaluru Delivery, Air India 447, stand zero seven, request IFR clearance for Hyderabad, information Sierra
ATC
Air India 447, Bengaluru Delivery, cleared to Hyderabad via VEDGO one alpha departure, flight planned route, climb six thousand feet, expect flight level three five zero at one five minutes after departure, squawk six eight two four
Pilot
Cleared to Hyderabad via VEDGO one alpha departure, flight planned route, climb six thousand feet, expect flight level three five zero at one five minutes after departure, squawk six eight two four, Air India 447
- Read back the complete clearance without omitting the route, SID, initial level or transponder code. The controller confirms READBACK CORRECT when the response matches.
- For a long clearance, write down each item while listening. Check the entries during your response and ask delivery to repeat anything uncertain.
Reference: ICAO Doc 9432
Requesting start-up
Before starting engines after receiving departure information.
Pilot
[unit], [callsign], [stand], request start up, information [atis].
ATC
[callsign], start up approved, QNH [qnh].
Pilot
Bengaluru Ground, Skyline 345, stand three four, request start up, information Bravo.
ATC
Skyline 345, start up approved, QNH one zero one zero.
Pilot
Start up approved, QNH one zero one zero, Skyline 345.
- State your location or stand and acknowledge the current ATIS information letter.
- ATC may approve immediately or give a start-up time. Write down the exact time if one is given.
- A start-up approval does not authorize push-back, taxi or runway movement unless those are separately given.
Reference: ICAO Doc 9432, 4.2
Practise a call
Say it out loud
The simulator runs the flight, two voices, on a clock.
YouHyderabad Clearance Delivery, Vistara 815, Boeing 787, request ATC clearance.
ATCVistara 815, Hyderabad Clearance Delivery, cleared to Goa at flight level three three zero. After departure, maintain runway heading two seven zero while climbing to three thousand feet. Turn left, intercept radial two four five at one four DME or less. Climb to flight level one six zero. Thereafter resume normal navigation while climbing to flight level three three zero.