As long as we're talking about approaches...

[100LL... Again!]

You receive the following clearance:

Cessna 123, you are cleared direct to ABC VOR to join the 15 DME arc.

When may you descend to the pulished altitude for the arc?

A) When turning to join the arc

B) Only after getting established on the arc

C) None of the above


I will answer by PM.

 

[minitour]

I vote B...when established on the arc...

The altitudes shown on the arcs are typically minimum, correct?

I'd think it logical to get established and descend...

could be wrong though...good question

-mini

 

[groundpointsix]

I'm going to go with C: None of the above.

There's nothing in that clearance with respect to either an altitude or an approach clearance. Actually, now that I think about it, that's a pretty odd clearance-- Direct to the VOR to join an arc from said VOR? I would think they'd give you either a heading or a radial to join the arc. Though admittedly, the only times I've flown a DME arc have been from an IAF for practice approaches.

 

[TonyC]

Not enough information - - describe the published procedure, or show us a picture.

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[100LL... Again!]

That is exactly how I received the clearance. Several times.

They do NOT mean to go all the way to the vor, they mean to go directly toward the vor, and join the arc where published.

You don't need any more info.

Since no approach clearance was authorized, no descent may be made.

ATC can issue this type of clearance where they want to get you on the arc, but there is still traffic near you that could be a conflict if you descended.

 

[bobbysamd]

"Cleared for the Approach"

They do NOT mean to go all the way to the vor, they mean to go directly toward the vor, and join the arc where published.

You don't need any more info.

Since no approach clearance was authorized, no descent may be made.

ATC can issue this type of clearance where they want to get you on the arc, but there is still traffic near you that could be a conflict if you descended.

You have to maintain your last assigned altitude until you hear the magic words. You may descend to published mins after you receive an approach clearance unless you are cleared to a different altitude in that clearance.

 

[TonyC]

That is exactly how I received the clearance. Several times.

They do NOT mean to go all the way to the vor, they mean to go directly toward the vor, and join the arc where published.

You don't need any more info.

Well, now we don't, but we did before.


Your second sentence provides essential information that was not included in the original post, and your description of the intention of ATC further defines the scenario.


Had you described a scenario where you were 15 miles west of VOR ABC heading east, and further described a 15 NM VOR/DME arc from the 300 radial to the 230 radial which then joined a 050 course to ABC VOR, THEN we might have gotten the picture.



As it was, I had no idea what you were talking about.


Thanks for clarifying.



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