What is an "operational" clearance?
 

Wondering if anyone can explain what it means to get an "operational" clearance. Context: I was recently flying in Niger, and frequently heard various military aircraft and military/government contracted aircraft request and receive (prior to takeoff) a clearance to be "Operational on XXX Radial". It generally seemed to be requested by aircraft whcih were not flying to another destination, ie: were departing on an airborne mission with the intent of landing back at the airport of departure following mission completion. The aircraft requesting such were not local ie: not Niger Armed forces, but aircraft from other countries operating within the country. Any idea what this means? I heard a suggestion that it was the same as operating "Due Regard". I'm familiar with the concept of operating with "Due Regard" but in other places where I have heard military or State aircraft operating "due regard" the phrase "due regard" was used to invoke that. Is this an Niger or Africa thing? Is it a NATO/US military term? I'd appreciate any light whcih could be shed on this. Supporting references would be appreciated even more. Thanks.

OK, well, answering my own question here, but I did a little more digging and found that "operational" is synonymous with "due Regard" in the ATC sense. The term appears to be from the US in origins. The FAA Pilot/Controller Glossary and ]FAA JO Order 7110.65W show the two terms to have the same meaning.

Just thought I'd throw that out there in case anyone else was scratching their head about this.

I never heard of either operational or "due regard". I guess they are local phraseology. I once worked with the USAF and it was a culture shock to start with but great when I got used to it! Good luck.

"due Regard" refers to a phrase in the original ICAO agreement, whcih is still the basis for international aviation. In Article 3, it (and I'm paraphrasing) notes that State (Military, customs and police) aircraft may operate outside of ATC procedures, as long as they exercise "due regard" for the safety of civil air traffic. As it is based in the ICAO founding documents, it's not exactly "local". However the only places I've heard it used was when flying in places where military operations were taking place. I was aware of "due regard" operations, I just wasn't aware that "operational" referred to the same thing.

Countries create control, restricted and prohibited areas outside their 12 mile territorial limit, which is technically outside their jurisdiction. US Military understand that that airspace is there, but they will fly in it without getting a clearance and will have due regard to other traffic. Happens in Oz airspace and I bet many others around the world.

It could possibly mean that the flight is operating as Operation Air Traffic (OAT) as opposed to General Air Traffic (GAT).

https://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/Operational_Air_Traffic_(OAT)

Yes, thanks. Based on the reading I’ve done since I started this thread, “Operational air traffic”, Operating with due regard” and “ operational” are all one and the same. ie: “state” (military customs or police) aircraft which are operating outside the normal civil ATC procedures.