FAA Instrument Rating Airplane (IRA)IFR Procedures and ChartsEasy
A pilot files an IFR flight plan via V16 IRENE V283 to Springfield Municipal at 6,000 feet. Before departure, ATC transmits: 'Cessna 4AB, cleared to Springfield Municipal as filed, climb and maintain 4,000, expect 6,000 ten minutes after departure, departure frequency 124.7, squawk 4521.' What does 'cleared as filed' authorize?
- AThe pilot is cleared via the preferred IFR route between the departure and destination airports
- BThe pilot may fly the filed route and the filed altitude of 6,000 feet immediately after departure
- CThe pilot must contact ATC to obtain the actual route because 'as filed' is only a placeholder
- DThe pilot is cleared via the route contained in the IFR flight plan, but the assigned altitude is the one stated separately in the clearance
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. The pilot is cleared via the route contained in the IFR flight plan, but the assigned altitude is the one stated separately in the clearance
'Cleared as filed' refers only to the ROUTE of flight filed in the IFR flight plan. The altitude to be flown is always stated explicitly in the clearance, and in this case ATC assigned 4,000 feet initially, not the filed 6,000 feet.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Incorrect — 'as filed' means the pilot's own filed route, not a preferred route
- B. Incorrect because the initial altitude assigned (4,000) differs from the filed altitude (6,000)
- C. Incorrect — 'as filed' is a valid, complete route clearance referencing the filed flight plan
Cleared as Filed
An ATC clearance phrase meaning the pilot is cleared to fly the route filed in the IFR flight plan; altitude and other clearance elements are stated separately.
- 'As filed' applies only to the route, not altitude
- Altitude is always stated separately in the clearance
- Pilot should have a copy of the filed flight plan route available to cross-check
Memory trick: CRAFT: Clearance limit, Route, Altitude, Frequency, Transponder — 'as filed' only covers the R.