A pilot flying a feeder route toward an ILS approach receives the clearance, 'Cleared ILS Runway 27 Approach.' The pilot is currently established on a charted transition that leads directly to the Final Approach Fix without requiring a course reversal. What does this clearance authorize the pilot to do?
- AEnter a full procedure turn regardless of the transition being flown, per standard practice
- BProceed direct to the runway threshold, bypassing the remaining charted approach segments
- CFly the published approach procedure from the current position via the appropriate transition, without needing to fly a course reversal since none is required from that transition
- DImmediately descend to the published MDA regardless of position on the approach
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Fly the published approach procedure from the current position via the appropriate transition, without needing to fly a course reversal since none is required from that transition
A clearance for the approach authorizes the pilot to fly the published procedure as charted, using whichever transition or feeder route is appropriate to the pilot's position. If the specific transition being flown does not require a procedure turn (NoPT), the pilot proceeds directly to the FAF without a course reversal.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Incorrect — a procedure turn is only required when depicted for that specific transition; NoPT transitions don't require it.
- B. Incorrect — the clearance does not eliminate charted approach segments; the full procedure as depicted must still be flown.
- D. Incorrect — descent to MDA is only appropriate after reaching the appropriate segment/fix, not immediately upon clearance.
Approach Clearance Authorization
Being cleared for a published approach authorizes the pilot to fly the entire depicted procedure from their current position, using the appropriate transition, including omitting a procedure turn where charted as NoPT.
- Approach clearance covers the full charted procedure, not just final segment
- Course reversal required only where charted, not universally
- Transition/feeder route flown must match pilot's position
Memory trick: Cleared for the Approach = Cleared for the WHOLE Chart