1 - DEPARTURE - IFR departure clearance :

Standard clearances for departing aircraft shall contain the following items :

a) designator of assigned SID/DP (or climb instructions - heading, beacon - if no SID/DP is applicable or if the pilot has no charts);

b) initial level, except when this element is included in the SID/DP description;

c) allocated squawkcode;

d) any other necessary instructions or information, e.g. instructions relating to change of frequency.

NOTE : according to the country, clearance limit, normally destination aerodrome, may be included too at the beginning.

2 - ARRIVALS - IFR arrival clearance :

Standard clearances for arriving aircraft shall contain the following items :

a) designator of assigned STAR (or descend instructions - heading, beacon - if no STAR is applicable or if the pilot has no charts);

b) runway-in-use, except when part of the STAR description;

c) initial level, except when this element is included in the STAR description; and

d) any other necessary instructions or information not contained in the STAR description, e.g. change of frequency.

3 - ARRIVALS - Instrument approach clearance

The APP controller shall specify the instrument approach procedure to be used by arriving aircraft.

However, a flight crew may request an alternative procedure and, if circumstances permit, should be cleared accordingly.

If a pilot reports or it is clearly apparent to the APP that the pilot is not familiar with an instrument approach procedure (or has not charts), the pilot shall be provided with radar vectors. The frequency(ies) of the navigation aid(s) to be used as well as the missed approach procedure shall also be specified when deemed necessary.

If visual reference to terrain is established before completion of the approach procedure, the entire procedure must nevertheless be executed unless the aircraft requests and is cleared for a visual approach (See §4 below).

4 - ARRIVALS - Visual approach clearance :

It enables an IFR flight not to comply with either part or all of an instrument approach procedure (via an IAF). The approach is executed in visual reference to terrain.

An IFR flight may be cleared to execute a visual approach provided the pilot can maintain visual reference to the terrain and :

a) the reported ceiling is at or above the approved initial approach level for the aircraft so cleared; or

b) the pilot reports at the initial approach level or at any time during the instrument approach procedure that the meteorological conditions are such that with reasonable assurance a visual approach and landing can be completed.

A clearance for an IFR flight to execute a visual approach may be requested by a flight crew or initiated by the controller. In the latter case, the concurrence of the flight crew shall be required. Controllers should take into consideration the prevailing traffic and weather conditions when initiating visual approaches.

Separation remains under the controller responsability and shall be provided between an aircraft cleared to execute a visual approach and other arriving and departing aircraft.

For successive visual approaches, separation shall be maintained until the pilot of a succeeding aircraft reports having the preceding aircraft in sight. The aircraft shall then be instructed to follow and maintain own separation from the preceding aircraft.

Transfer of communications to the TWR controller should be effected at such a point or time that information on essential local traffic, if applicable, and clearance to land or alternative instructions can be issued to the aircraft in a timely manner.

L6 - Clearances