What is a "Published segment of an approach"

[Bernoulli]

I may be shootin out my ass here, but I think there is a big difference between "Cleared approach" and a cruise clearance when still on a victor airway or even a STAR. With a "cleared approach" clearance, if you are not on a published segment or route that is published on the approach plate then you can not vacate your last assigned altitude without telling ATC, whereas in a cruise clearance you can descend or climb within the assigned block of altitude without notifying ATC. Now... from my understanding, once you are on a published segment or route depicted on your approach plate and ATC says cleared approach, then you can descend without advising ATC. I think there is a difference, and if your'e not careful, it could bite ya in the butt. If anyone can verify or rebuff what I just stated it would be much appreciated.

 

[Singlecoil]

White Devil (aka. Singelcoil) is correct about being "Cleared Approch" It happens alot where I fly.

I don't even remember telling you that story?!? I am LOL that you remember it, though.

In my hypothetical, I left out that there was an airway with an MEA of 5000 between XYZ and LMN. I was thinking of Pullman, WA and Lewiston, ID when conceiving this example. Late at night, ATC would clear us to cruise through Pullman to Lewiston at 6000 or 8000. This was in a Dash-8 under Part 121. Basically, you can land, deplane, enplane, take off, and land again at the other airport under the same clearance without having to deal with relaying through FSS until you got to the second airport. It is a seldom used, but handy procedure.

 

[Bernoulli]

In my hypothetical, I left out that there was an airway with an MEA of 5000 between XYZ and LMN. I was thinking of Pullman, WA and Lewiston, ID when conceiving this example. Late at night, ATC would clear us to cruise through Pullman to Lewiston at 6000 or 8000. This was in a Dash-8 under Part 121. Basically, you can land, deplane, enplane, take off, and land again at the other airport under the same clearance without having to deal with relaying through FSS until you got to the second airport. It is a seldom used, but handy procedure.

Wow... Never heard of anything like that before. Are the rules for that type of cruise clearance published anywhere... I mean... how is a pilot supposed to know what that means.

 

[Singlecoil]

I've never seen it in writing anywhere. I learned it from a Captain when I was in the right seat.

 

[Vector4fun]

Wow... Never heard of anything like that before. Are the rules for that type of cruise clearance published anywhere... I mean... how is a pilot supposed to know what that means.

The Pilot/Controller glossary is actually more descriptive than anything else I've seen, including the Controller's Handbook 7110.65...

<B>

CLEARED THROUGH- ATC authorization for an aircraft to make intermediate stops at specified airports without refiling a flight plan while en route to the clearance limit.

<B>CRUISE- Used in an ATC clearance to authorize a pilot to conduct flight at any altitude from the minimum IFR altitude up to and including the altitude specified in the clearance. The pilot may level off at any intermediate altitude within this block of airspace. Climb/descent within the block is to be made at the discretion of the pilot. However, once the pilot starts descent and verbally reports leaving an altitude in the block, he/she may not return to that altitude without additional ATC clearance. Further, it is approval for the pilot to proceed to and make an approach at destination airport and can be used in conjunction with:

a. An airport clearance limit at locations with a standard/special instrument approach procedure. The CFRs require that if an instrument letdown to an airport is necessary, the pilot shall make the letdown in accordance with a standard/special instrument approach procedure for that airport, or



b. An airport clearance limit at locations that are within/below/outside controlled airspace and without a standard/special instrument approach procedure. Such a clearance is NOT AUTHORIZATION for the pilot to descend under IFR conditions below the applicable minimum IFR altitude nor does it imply that ATC is exercising control over aircraft in Class G airspace; however, it provides a means for the aircraft to proceed to destination airport, descend, and land in accordance with applicable CFRs governing VFR flight operations. Also, this provides search and rescue protection until such time as the IFR flight plan is closed.



​

From the FAA 7110.65:

4-2-6. THROUGH CLEARANCES

You may clear an aircraft through intermediate stops.


PHRASEOLOGY-
CLEARED THROUGH (airport) TO (fix).

That's it.</B>

 

[ifleyelearz]

If in doubt, just query the controller right?

 

[GravityHater]

I need a practical example of a cruise clearance.

I take off and sometime after, while at 3000', I ask for and get "Cleared Kxyz airport, Cruise 9 thousand". The MEA is 2000' for the entire airway route to the FAF.

So is it true that
I can climb up to 9000'
I can descend to 2000'
at any point in the flight up to the FAF without making a peep.
I can wander up and down to any altitude I want. Over the hour flight the controller can look at his display and see me at '72', '33', '90', '51' and he will be happy, not say a word, not hear from me.

Is this right so far, or do I have to stay at appropriate ifr altitudes at least? If so, change the above to "the controller can look at his display and see me at '70', '50', '30', and he will be happy, not say a word, not hear from me."

Is the part about 'not reporting' correct?

NOW, if I report leaving an altitude and descending, I MUST get prior approval before climbing back up to that altitude. So if I am at 7000, and report "vacating 7000" then I can descend as far as I want as long as I do not return to 7000'. I can descend all the way to 3000 and then climb back up to 5000' only.

 

[Singlecoil]

I think you've got it gravityhater. You don't need to fly cardinal altitudes either. You can do what you must to avoid weather or ice and treat it like a block of altitude.