IFR - Approach Clearance

Approach clearance is given in a fixed format: PTAC

For example:

• Position: 5 miles from XXXXX
• Turn: turn left heading 280
• Altitude: maintain 2,000 until established on the localizer
• Clearance: cleared ILS runway 31 approach

Position is for your situational awareness, no need to read back. Read back Turn, Altitude, and Clearance.

Examples

Via a fix

• Callsign: Skyhawk Four Five X-ray
• P: radar contact twenty miles southwest of San Jose Airport.
• T: Proceed direct XXXXX.
• A: Cross XXXXX at or above five thousand feet.
• C: Cleared RNAV Yankee Runway Three Zero Left approach, San Jose Airport."

Vectors to final

• Callsign: November One Two Three Alpha Bravo
• P: three miles from the final approach fix
• T: turn right heading two seven zero.
• A: Maintain three thousand feet until established on the localizer.
• C: Cleared ILS Runway Three Zero approach, Oakland Airport.

You may also hear:

• Expect vectors across final for spacing: If you hear this, you will not be turning on final, but will be vectored cross the final and will be vectored back on the final from the other side.
• Skyhawk XXXXX, turn right heading 325, intercept the localizer, report established. (not cleared for the approach, not cleared to descend)
  • a follow up: Skyhawk XXXXX, 3 miles from ABCDE, cleared ILS runway 4 right approach. (now you can descend)
• Skyhawk XXXXX, descend and maintain 3,000, expect ILS runway 31 right approach. (only read back "descend and maintain 3,000", because "expect ILS runway 31 right approach" is not part of the clearance)
• CESSNA XXXXX about 15 from LUCEE, turn left heading 350, maintain 4,000 till established on localizer, cleared ILS 32 Approach.

Circle to land

Skyhawk XXXXX, cleared direct ABI VORTAC, cleared VOR A approach, circle EAST of the airport.

Missed Approach

XXX Approach, Cessna XXXX, missed approach, 1,100 climbing 3000 on the published missed.