FAA Instrument Rating Airplane (IRA)IFR Procedures and ChartsMedium
A pilot receives the following IFR clearance before departure: 'Cleared to Lakeview Airport as filed, maintain 4,000, expect 8,000 ten minutes after departure, departure frequency 124.3, squawk 4521, clearance void if not off by 1450, if not off by 1450 advise Approach no later than 1500 of intentions.' The pilot is unable to depart by 1450. What must the pilot do?
- AWait for a new clearance to be issued automatically by ATC at 1500
- BDepart under VFR and pick up the IFR clearance in the air once contact is reestablished
- CContact ATC no later than 1500 to advise of intentions, since departure did not occur before the void time
- DDepart as soon as possible after 1450 without further coordination, since the clearance remains valid for 30 minutes
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Contact ATC no later than 1500 to advise of intentions, since departure did not occur before the void time
When a clearance void time is issued, the pilot must be airborne before that time or the clearance becomes void. The clearance specifically instructed the pilot to advise ATC of intentions no later than 1500 if not off by 1450, so the pilot must comply with that specific contact requirement.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. ATC does not automatically reissue clearances; the pilot must initiate contact.
- B. Departing VFR does not fulfill the void-time notification requirement and creates additional risk.
- D. The clearance becomes void at 1450; departing after that time without a new clearance would be a violation.
Clearance Void Time
A time by which a pilot must be airborne or the ATC clearance becomes void, often used at airports without direct radio/radar contact.
- Pilot must be off the ground before the void time
- If unable, must advise ATC by the specified time (or within 30 minutes if none given)
- Failure to advise may result in search and rescue procedures
- Common at non-towered airports with clearance delivery via phone
Memory trick: Void time voids your clearance — call ATC or become a search target.