When to descend?

[PA31Ho]

Here is the ILS 15 @ CHS

http://204.108.4.16/d-tpp/0505/00076I15.PDF
If you go to WANDO and hold @ 3000', then proceed on the 12DME Arc to intercept the LOC and fly the ILS, when can you descend to 1600? I did this today but I only went to 1600' because he told me to descend from 3000' to 1600' while I was on the DME Arc.

Thanks!

 

[CFI4LIFE]

When you are established on the arc.

 

[Yellow Snow]

You can descend when you have met two conditions. You must be established on a published part of the approach. and you must be cleared for the approach. You can descend to 1600 on the arc as long as you are established and cleared.

 

[MTpilot]

Like he said, established or cleared

When you turn off of or pass the 055 radial at 12 dme you can start down, arcs are nice because there is no need to rush your descent you've got the whole arc to get her down.

 

[TonyC]

What they said.



I asked a related question a coupla years ago, but didn't really get an answer. Now that we have a picture to go along with the question, and a fresh audience, I'll pose the question again.


Suppose you're proceeding direct to the Charleston VOR along the 250 degree radial (070 degree course) and you're maintaining 3,000 feet. ATC clears you, "BigDog three echo papa, join the Charleston 12 DME ARC, Maintain three thousand until established, cleared ILS Runway 15"


To descend, you must be cleared and established.



When are you established?






.

 

[PropsR4Boats]

The AIM reads that the pilot is to maintain the last ATC assigned altitude until an approach clearance is given and the aircraft is positioned on a published portion of the approach. In addition once an approach clearance is given altitude is the pilot’s discretion to the lowest permissible altitude, unless there is a specific crossing instruction or other ATC instruction. I.e. when cleared for a visual approach you can go down as low as you want as fast as you want as long as you comply with the other rules that apply in 14 CFR parts 91 etc.

 

[PA31Ho]

My guess would be - you are established when you are actually on the 12dme arc. Now, from reading above.... have to be established OR cleared? or established AND cleared? because if I'm at 3000' at a WANDO hold, and I am told to track the 12dme arc around for the ILS, but he didn't say "cleared for the ILS15" yet, can I go to 1600' when 'established' on the 12dme arc? or do I have to hear the words "cleared for ILS 15"?

Thanks

 

[CFI4LIFE]

What they said.



I asked a related question a coupla years ago, but didn't really get an answer. Now that we have a picture to go along with the question, and a fresh audience, I'll pose the question again.


Suppose you're proceeding direct to the Charleston VOR along the 250 degree radial (070 degree course) and you're maintaining 3,000 feet. ATC clears you, "BigDog three echo papa, join the Charleston 12 DME ARC, Maintain three thousand until established, cleared ILS Runway 15"


To descend, you must be cleared and established.



When are you established?






.

You would join arch on your present course and descend when established on it.

 

[MTpilot]

Your established when your on the 12 dme arc.

 

[CFI4LIFE]

My guess would be - you are established when you are actually on the 12dme arc. Now, from reading above.... have to be established OR cleared? or established AND cleared? because if I'm at 3000' at a WANDO hold, and I am told to track the 12dme arc around for the ILS, but he didn't say "cleared for the ILS15" yet, can I go to 1600' when 'established' on the 12dme arc? or do I have to hear the words "cleared for ILS 15"?

Thanks

You would have to be cleared for the approach in order to descend. If the instructions were to "join the 12 mile arc," you'd have to maintain 3000 till you got the actual approach clearance.