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3 Answers

Release clearance at uncontrolled filed

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Instrument Rating

Situation: uncontrolled field, but it is possible to talk over the radio to Departure Control located at a nearby airport. The controller has provided the IFR clearance to the pilot that has read it back. The controller says ‘you are released’ and then provides the initial heading entering controlled airspace, the clearance validity time and may or may not say ‘frequency change approved’.

Does the pilot need to repeat anything the controller has said after ‘you are released’? Or the pilot just says ‘released’, changes the frequency to the airport advisory frequency and takes off?

Thanks

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3 Answers



  1. John D Collins on Aug 30, 2018

    I would expect that the pilot would confirm any controller instructions such as heading, void time, call back time that was part of the release communication. That way if there was an error in communication, it could be corrected by the controller.

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  2. Charles22 on Sep 09, 2018

    Certainly reading back all the release instructions should be the preferred way to go, but my question was more about what the rules require. Would it be legal for the pilot to switch frequency without reading back all the release instructions, if the controller says ‘you are released’ or ‘frequency change approved’?

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  3. John D Collins on Sep 10, 2018

    So, you better follow the instructions as meant by the controller. If you don’t do a read back, you could be cited for not complying with 91.123 if you subsequently do not follow any misheard or misinterpreted ATC instruction.

    Although not a regulation, In the AIM, Chapter 4, Air traffic Control, Section 2. Radio Communications Phraseology and Techniques 4−2−1. General (b.) states:

    b. The single, most important thought in pilotcontroller communications is understanding. It is
    essential, therefore, that pilots acknowledge each radio communication with ATC by using the appropriate aircraft call sign. Brevity is important, and contacts should be kept as brief as possible, but controllers must know what you want to do before they can properly carry out their control duties. And you, the pilot, must know exactly what the controller wants you to do. Since concise phraseology may not always be adequate, use whatever words are necessary to get your message across. Pilots are to maintain vigilance in monitoring air traffic control radio communications frequencies for potential traffic conflicts with their aircraft especially when operating on an active runway and/or when conducting a final approach to landing.

    So how are you going to explain a deviation at the hearing if the recording shows you failed to readback your clearance? You might even get a 91.13 violation to boot, careless and reckless.

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