I've never worked a tanker base where I did call for a clearance during a fire dispatch. I always go straight to ground, and simply advise them XXX Ground, Tanker XXX, Fire Dispatch, Westbound.
I don't stop rolling; I go straight to the nearest appropriate runway; it's always given me, and I depart with priority. I don't recall ever having been given an exception, unless a slight delay for landing traffic. I try to temper that request if there's known traffic inbound, but in almost every case ATC will send IFR traffic around before they'll delay me.
As far as using CD, if you're in a location where it's available, and you're unfamiliar, there is no good reason not to use it. The purpose of clearance delivery is to ensure smooth control operations. That includes assigning squawk codes or other pertinent information to VFR traffic.
If you're familiar with a particular field's operations and they don't process VFR traffic over clearance delivery, then don't bother with it. It depends on the specific airfield. If in doubt or you're unfamiliar with the field, the use clearance delivery. You're only giving the controllers a helping hand and a heads-up.
If the area will be using terminal radar services and/or has an approach controller, you should always start with Clearance Delivery where it's available. This includes airfields that are not controlled; many exist underlying controlled airspace, wherein a clearance delivery frequency is available from a larger satalite field. If it's available, call it; it's one more tool to ensure a more seamless entry into the system, and to provide all the available advance notice to both controllers and pilots alike for planning purposes.
I don't stop rolling; I go straight to the nearest appropriate runway; it's always given me, and I depart with priority. I don't recall ever having been given an exception, unless a slight delay for landing traffic. I try to temper that request if there's known traffic inbound, but in almost every case ATC will send IFR traffic around before they'll delay me.
As far as using CD, if you're in a location where it's available, and you're unfamiliar, there is no good reason not to use it. The purpose of clearance delivery is to ensure smooth control operations. That includes assigning squawk codes or other pertinent information to VFR traffic.
If you're familiar with a particular field's operations and they don't process VFR traffic over clearance delivery, then don't bother with it. It depends on the specific airfield. If in doubt or you're unfamiliar with the field, the use clearance delivery. You're only giving the controllers a helping hand and a heads-up.
If the area will be using terminal radar services and/or has an approach controller, you should always start with Clearance Delivery where it's available. This includes airfields that are not controlled; many exist underlying controlled airspace, wherein a clearance delivery frequency is available from a larger satalite field. If it's available, call it; it's one more tool to ensure a more seamless entry into the system, and to provide all the available advance notice to both controllers and pilots alike for planning purposes.
