ATC issues the clearance: 'Cessna 4AB, climb via the SID.' The departure procedure has multiple published altitude restrictions at intermediate fixes. What is the pilot authorized and required to do?
- AClimb and comply with all published altitude (and speed, if applicable) restrictions on the SID without further individual ATC clearances for each fix
- BRequest ATC to confirm each intermediate altitude restriction individually before crossing each fix
- CFly the SID's lateral path only; altitude restrictions on a 'climb via' clearance apply only when specifically radioed by ATC
- DClimb to the final SID altitude immediately, disregarding intermediate altitude restrictions unless ATC restates them
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Climb and comply with all published altitude (and speed, if applicable) restrictions on the SID without further individual ATC clearances for each fix
A 'climb via' clearance authorizes the pilot to climb in accordance with the lateral path of the SID and to meet all published vertical (altitude) and, if depicted, speed restrictions at each waypoint, without needing ATC to reissue each restriction individually. This is distinct from a clearance to 'climb and maintain [altitude]' followed by the SID, which does not include compliance with published altitude restrictions unless restated.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Incorrect — no additional confirmation is required; the clearance itself authorizes compliance
- C. Incorrect — altitude restrictions are included in a 'climb via' clearance, not excluded
- D. Incorrect — intermediate restrictions must be complied with, not skipped
'Climb Via' SID Clearance
An ATC clearance phrase authorizing a pilot to climb along the lateral path of a SID while complying with all published altitude and speed restrictions at each fix, without needing individual restatement of each restriction.
- Distinct from 'climb and maintain [altitude]'
- Includes compliance with charted altitude AND speed restrictions
- Reduces ATC/pilot communication workload on departure
Memory trick: 'Climb via' means follow the whole chart, not just the sky.