FAA Instrument Rating Airplane (IRA)IFR Procedures and ChartsMedium
A pilot receives a 'cleared as filed' IFR clearance. The filed flight plan includes a direct route between two VORs at an altitude of 9,000 feet. What is the pilot's responsibility regarding route adherence and altitude maintenance?
- AFly the direct route, but must remain 1,000 feet above obstacles if no MEA is published.
- BFly the direct route at 9,000 feet, but ATC may amend the route or altitude at any time.
- CFly the direct route and climb to the MEA if higher than 9,000 feet, then maintain 9,000 feet.
- DFly the direct route and maintain 9,000 feet, expecting ATC to provide vectors if needed.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Fly the direct route at 9,000 feet, but ATC may amend the route or altitude at any time.
'Cleared as filed' authorizes the pilot to fly the route and altitude specified in the flight plan. However, ATC retains the authority to issue amended clearances at any time for traffic separation or other operational needs.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Obstacle clearance is a factor, but 'cleared as filed' implicitly means the filed altitude is safe or ATC will amend it.
- C. The pilot is cleared for 9,000 feet; climbing to a higher MEA without clearance would be a deviation.
- D. While ATC provides vectors, the primary responsibility is to follow the clearance until amended.
Cleared as Filed
An ATC clearance that authorizes a pilot to proceed in accordance with the route, altitude, and other details specified in their filed IFR flight plan.
- Authorizes filed route and altitude.
- ATC can still amend the clearance.
- Pilot must comply with the clearance.
- Does not relieve pilot of terrain/obstacle clearance responsibilities.
Memory trick: Filed it, fly it, but ATC can always change it.