Airways clearance question
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Airways clearance question
Hey guys. Newish PPL holder here. Just a quick question about requesting airways clearance.
Say I was departing a CTAF underneath the class C airspace steps and my flight plan was to climb up into the class C airspace and transit through it. When do/can I contact centre for airways clearance? Can I do it on the ground at the CTAF?
For example there are numerous CTAFs under the class C steps around Melbourne where this would occur. What is the normal process?
Thanks in advance!
Say I was departing a CTAF underneath the class C airspace steps and my flight plan was to climb up into the class C airspace and transit through it. When do/can I contact centre for airways clearance? Can I do it on the ground at the CTAF?
For example there are numerous CTAFs under the class C steps around Melbourne where this would occur. What is the normal process?
Thanks in advance!
Yes, you can do it on the ground if you have good comms or airborne on departure. Specific procedures may vary - eg you may get a code when you call Centre while still on the ground and be directed to call Appr airborne for the clearance. If in doubt call Centre and ask them! Generally facilitated if you have a plan in the system - expect a short delay while they put some details in the system for you. If you have a plan in the system and ADSB, they will probably be anticipating your call!
Dr
Dr
Last edited by ForkTailedDrKiller; 15th Aug 2014 at 03:24.
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If you're operating VFR, I would proceed OCTA until approaching the next CTA boundary and request airways clearance prior to reaching the boundary. That way, if you're told to remain outside CTA for clearance, you can then do a few orbits at your present position.
If operating IFR and you need to get to your lowest safe on departure and that's in CTA, then I'd contact them on the ground for clearance.
If operating IFR and you need to get to your lowest safe on departure and that's in CTA, then I'd contact them on the ground for clearance.
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Hi Sheldo86
Where I work, It'd be rare that you get a clearance into class 'C' whilst still taxying. You'd be most likely to receive the clearance once airborne and identified.
If you planned IFR the controller should already be aware, through your flight plan, that you'll be requesting a clearance if your planned level has you transiting through CTA.
If planned VFR, it'll be once you are airborne and identified. Give the controller as much notice as possible, so hopefully you'd be able to avoid any delays whilst a flight plan is found/created.
Cheers
TD80
Where I work, It'd be rare that you get a clearance into class 'C' whilst still taxying. You'd be most likely to receive the clearance once airborne and identified.
If you planned IFR the controller should already be aware, through your flight plan, that you'll be requesting a clearance if your planned level has you transiting through CTA.
If planned VFR, it'll be once you are airborne and identified. Give the controller as much notice as possible, so hopefully you'd be able to avoid any delays whilst a flight plan is found/created.
Cheers
TD80
Last edited by tyler_durden_80; 15th Aug 2014 at 03:34. Reason: I write good England
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Melbourne Centre, ABC, Cessna 172, taxiing location, to destination, request code
ABC, squawk 1743, contact me airbourne for clearance
1743, ABC
ABC, airbourne location, passing altitude, climbing altitude, request clearance
ABC, you are identified, remain OCTA, contact approach on 123.45 for clearance
OCTA, 123.45, ABC
Melbourne approach, ABC, request clearance
...
(variations are inevitable based on locations)
ABC, squawk 1743, contact me airbourne for clearance
1743, ABC
ABC, airbourne location, passing altitude, climbing altitude, request clearance
ABC, you are identified, remain OCTA, contact approach on 123.45 for clearance
OCTA, 123.45, ABC
Melbourne approach, ABC, request clearance
...
(variations are inevitable based on locations)
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Thanks guys.
Yeah, I should have mentioned, I meant for VFR flight.
So generally speaking, contact ATC once airborne for clearance?
But I can contact them whilst taxiing but they may not give me clearance until airborne?
Some of these CTAFs under the steps at Melbourne are quite tight, eg terrain 500 feet below and class C airspace 500 feet above.
Cheers,
Sheldon
Yeah, I should have mentioned, I meant for VFR flight.
So generally speaking, contact ATC once airborne for clearance?
But I can contact them whilst taxiing but they may not give me clearance until airborne?
Some of these CTAFs under the steps at Melbourne are quite tight, eg terrain 500 feet below and class C airspace 500 feet above.
Cheers,
Sheldon
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Sheldon, you WON'T get a VFR clearance on the ground into Class C airspace pretty much anywhere in Australia. In the situation you mention I would give the Melbourne traffic manager a call (number in ERSA) tell him/her that you have a VFR flight plan in the system, you're getting airborne shortly and request the code. Setting it on your transponder prior to airborne will speed up the identification process (you WON'T get a clearance til you're identified).
And W'rTF you do, don't bust airspace til you've got the clearance
And W'rTF you do, don't bust airspace til you've got the clearance
Sheldon, you WON'T get a VFR clearance on the ground into Class C airspace pretty much anywhere in Australia.
I have lost count of the number of times I have requested and received a clearance VFR into Class C while on the ground!
Dr
But Jack means in the last 20 years Dr 
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Do what you want..ATC is there to help you. Your airways fees are paying their wages..don't take no for an answer..it's not that busy in Aus..tell them to grow a pair and have a look at radar tracks in Heathrow or LAX
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Let me re-phrase that, you won't get it on the ground south of the Murray. You WON'T get it on the ground at any of the Airports that ring Melbourne that are underneath the Class C steps. It won't happen, it would have to be an exceptional circumstance (like the FTDK was visiting Victoria & they know he's an awesome pilot )
If you are at a Class D Tower i.e. Albury, you will get your clearance into C because the Class D Tower owns Class C steps.
If you have any questions, PM me
)If you are at a Class D Tower i.e. Albury, you will get your clearance into C because the Class D Tower owns Class C steps.
If you have any questions, PM me
Let me re-phrase that, you won't get it on the ground south of the Murray. You WON'T get it on the ground at any of the Airports that ring Melbourne that are underneath the Class C steps.
Only been there a couple of times, but yes, my reputation had preceded me - boys in the tower looked after me well!
Dr
When you live....
eg terrain 500 feet below and class C airspace 500 feet above.
I should know.....
UTR.
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Read your ERSA (these letters can be rearranged to spell another word)
Every class D has its own particular 'Australianised' local version of how to do it.
USA is more standardized, but that would be sensible, somehow our air is different?
HD
Every class D has its own particular 'Australianised' local version of how to do it.
USA is more standardized, but that would be sensible, somehow our air is different?
HD