"Cleared Finals"

[diggyduo]

The other day in a radar environment, approaching the inbound, I was "cleared finals" for a NPA from the radar controller. I had not heard a clearance like this before, though I have had "cleared finals, maintain x000" meaning intercept the final approach track but maintain x000' until cleared for the approach from tower.

I interpolated this "cleared finals" to mean the same thing - intercept the final approach track but maintain the current altitude. I was rolled through to tower on reporting established on finals. On checking in with tower, making sure we said we were "cleared finals" as we were a bit iffy about the approach clearance, tower gave us the normal "continue, number 1". I asked for clarification as to whether we were cleared for the approach which then sparked confusion with the controller who obviously assumed we knew we were cleared for the approach.

After landing we talked with the ATC supervisor who stated that 'cleared finals' is standard terminolgy and means the same as 'cleared for the approach'.

Is this True? I can't find the 'cleared finals' term anywhere, and it's new to me, though this doesn't mean it isn't common or accepted practice of course.

Cheers

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Never heard that phrase in a radar environment. Guess it must be a local thing.

[AmarokGTI]

Rather than joining Finals, I rather join Bases or Downwinds or Upwinds.

Or Final (Singular)

[diggyduo]

Is there a 'go to' ICAO manual outlining what can be expected for approach clearances (like the equivalent of the 9613 for PBN)?

[TCAS FAN]

Was it a civil ATCU in the UK? If it was the controller's phraseology is complete c**p. The Unit's Unit Training Plan and Unit Competency Scheme (if they operate one) are long overdue for review.

Both the controller and supervisor need to have a long look at MATS Part 1 and CAP 413 during their next break.

If its a UK MOD aerodrome, say no more! Why in this day and age cannot the MOD mandarins wake up, smell the coffee and use ICAO standard RTF phraseology, albeit supplemented with some of their own specific terms?

Was following a FAF aircraft into an MOD establishment, the pilote spoke very good (ICAO) english but was obviously uneasy with the verbosity of the controller that he was talking to.

Diggyduo

If its outside UK, ICAO Doc 4444, you will have to buy or (because its not cheap) find a friendly ATC Unit who may have one. If its in the UK CAP 493 and CAP 413, both freely available on the CAA website The UK Civil Aviation Authority (http://www.caa.co.uk)

[diggyduo]

Thanks for the input TCAS FAN.

It was in NZ, so the ICAO 4444 doc sounds like the reference.

Btw, this is no witch hunt. I'm just genuinely keen to resolve any ambiguities (especially in this phase of flight) that may be caused by local R/T procedures diverging from the published norm.

[mally35]

Heathrow Director. I was always under the impression that there was no such thing as 'finals' just 'final'(in the singular). Is that correct?

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

mally35... you are absolutely right.

[zilir]

Below is what Doc 4444 says on Approach Phraseolygy





12.3.3.2 APPROACH INSTRUCTIONS

a) CLEARED (or PROCEED) VIA (designation);
b) CLEARED TO (clearance limit) VIA (designation);
c) CLEARED (or PROCEED) VIA (details of route to befollowed);
d) CLEARED (type of approach) APPROACH [RUNWAY (number)];
e) CLEARED (type of approach) RUNWAY (number)FOLLOWED BY CIRCLING TO RUNWAY (number);
f) CLEARED APPROACH [RUNWAY (number)];
g) COMMENCE APPROACH AT (time);
*h) REQUEST STRAIGHT-IN [(type of approach)] APPROACH [RUNWAY (number)];
i) CLEARED STRAIGHT-IN [(type of approach)] APPROACH [RUNWAY (number)];
j) REPORT VISUAL;
k) REPORT RUNWAY [LIGHTS] IN SIGHT;
… when a pilot requests a visual approach
*l) REQUEST VISUAL APPROACH;
m) CLEARED VISUAL APPROACH RUNWAY (number);
… to request if a pilot is able to accept a visual approach
n) ADVISE ABLE TO ACCEPT VISUAL APPROACH RUNWAY (number);
Note.—See 6.5.3 for provisions relating to visual approach procedures.
… in case of successive visual approaches when the pilot of a succeeding aircraft has reported
having the preceding aircraft in sight
o) CLEARED VISUAL APPROACH RUNWAY (number), MAINTAIN OWN SEPARATION FROM PRECEDING (aircraft type and wake turbulence category as appropriate)
[CAUTION WAKE TURBULENCE];
p) REPORT (significant point); [OUTBOUND, or INBOUND];
q) REPORT COMMENCING PROCEDURE TURN;
*r) REQUEST VMC DESCENT;
s) MAINTAIN OWN SEPARATION;
t) MAINTAIN VMC;
u) ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH (name) APPROACH PROCEDURE;
*v) REQUEST (type of approach) APPROACH [RUNWAY (number)];
*w) REQUEST (MLS/RNAV plain-language designator);
x) CLEARED (MLS/RNAV plain-language designator).
* Denotes pilot transmission.
Hope it helps



Cheers zilir