crewcostcontrol, it's been done here already if you want to do a search but basically "cleared ILS" gives implicit clearance to descend to the altitude that the ils approach starts.
What's the regulatory basis for this? Something in PANS-OPS, PANS-ATM or one of the Annexes?
In a
previous thread I see I wrote:
"It's not legitimate to descend to the MDA, but when "cleared for the approach" it is permitted to descend to the charted intercept altitude (where you'd be for a procedural approach)."
but I don't appear to have cited the regulatory basis, and can't find anything in other threads.
I still think this different UK phraseology, which will continue to cause endless confusion, is a lousy solution to a problem that no other state appears to have. I can't believe Heathrow is unique in requiring descent on a glideslope while maintaining separation from traffic below.