FAA Instrument Flight Instructor (FII)IFR Procedures and ApproachesMedium
An instrument student is practicing an ILS approach. During the approach, ATC issues a clearance, "Cleared ILS Runway 27 approach." What does this clearance authorize the pilot to do?
- AExecute a straight-in landing without following the full published procedure.
- BProceed directly to the Final Approach Fix (FAF) and commence the approach.
- CProceed via the published instrument approach procedure, including any depicted course reversals if necessary.
- DDescend immediately to the published Decision Height (DH) for the approach.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Proceed via the published instrument approach procedure, including any depicted course reversals if necessary.
A clearance to 'cleared for the approach' or 'cleared ILS Runway 27 approach' authorizes the pilot to execute the entire published instrument approach procedure, including any required course reversals (like procedure turns or holding-in-lieu-of-PT) unless specifically told 'NoPT' or vectored to the final approach course.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. The full published procedure must be followed unless explicitly cleared for a straight-in or given vectors to final.
- B. This clearance does not automatically authorize proceeding direct to the FAF; intermediate segments and course reversals must be followed.
- D. Descent to DH can only occur after meeting specific criteria, not immediately upon receiving the clearance.
ILS Clearance Interpretation
A clearance to 'cleared for the approach' or 'cleared ILS Runway XX approach' means the pilot is authorized to execute the entire published instrument approach procedure.
- Includes all segments: initial, intermediate, and final.
- Includes any depicted course reversals (e.g., procedure turns) unless specifically omitted.
- Does not authorize descent below minimum altitudes for each segment until established.
Memory trick: Clear for the approach, follow the chart's full course.