ILS Approach Clearance

[APP Radar]

ILS published procedure to RWY 99 starts at FIX / 3000 ft.

"Flight A, proceed direct FIX, descend to 6000 ft "

"Flight A, cleared for ILS approach RWY 99"


Questions :

1. Is flight A cleared to descend from 6000 ft to 3000 ft ?

2. Will flight A ask fir clearance to descend from 6000 ft to 3000 ft ?

3. Will flight A continue descend to 3000 ft or will it maintain 6000 ft until intercepting/establishing on glide slope ?


Please refer if it's a pilot or ATC opinion ...
Thanks

[Tinstaafl]

Background, Oz rules: A clearance to conduct an approach is an approval to descend as required but not below LSALT/MSAs etc (unless a descent limitation has been imposed) & thereafter IAW the procedure. So...

After the 1st instruction:

1. No
2. Yes, if you don't clear lower in a timely manner
3. N/a

After the second instruction

1. Yes.
2. No
3. Whatever they decides is best for them on the day. You've just cleared the a/c to descend as required from 6000 to 3000 to get onto the approach (and below once established in some part of the procedure eg a sector entry, hold, interception etc ).



Me: ehh, pylot.

[eggplantwalking]

When you are "cleared for an approach", you are authorized by the FAA rules to make any headng or altitude changes nessary to accomplish the approach so as long as you conform to the minimun restrictions of the published approach (jeppesen for example).

[Intruder]

When you are "cleared for an approach", you are authorized by the FAA rules to make any headng or altitude changes nessary to accomplish the approach so as long as you conform to the minimun restrictions of the published approach (jeppesen for example).
NO NO NO!!!

When cleared for an approach, you are NOT cleared to descend below previously cleared altitude UNTIL you are ESTABLISHED on a published section of the approach! See FAR 91.175(i):

"When operating on an unpublished route or while being radar vectored, the pilot, when an approach clearance is received, shall, in addition to complying with Sec. 91.177, maintain the last altitude assigned to that pilot until the aircraft is established on a segment of a published route or instrument approach procedure unless a different altitude is assigned by ATC."

In the OP's example, flight A may NOT, without EXPLICIT further clearance, descend below 6000' until passing FIX and established on the approach!