Skip to content

Clearance

When obtaining an IFR clearance (Instrument Flight Rules), the pilot must prepare for several important pieces of information. Here is a minimal summary:

Preparation

  • Jeppesen or Navigraph Charts – for SIDs, waypoints and frequencies.
  • FMS and navigation databases – for flight route validation and entries.
  • Flight plan (created with e.g. Simbrief) is then available as PDF
  • ATIS frequency or digital request (e.g. via Hoppie network) for current weather information and active runway
  • FMGS/MCDU program according to flight plan

Phraseology

Pilot: "Frankfurt Delivery, Lufthansa 123, IFR to Munich, stand A16, information Alpha, request clearance."

ATC: "Lufthansa 123, cleared to Munich via MARUN 3F departure, initial climb 5000 feet, squawk 4712, contact departure on 119.9."

Where to find the necessary information

  1. Clearance-Delivery Frequency - to request clearance, found on airport chart (10-9)
  2. Flight number and aircraft identification - flight plan or programmed FMGS/MCDU
  3. Departure and destination airport - flight plan or programmed FMGS/MCDU
  4. Planned flight path, Departure – flight plan or programmed FMGS/MCDU, possibly adapted according to changed runway (see ATIS)
  5. Target altitude (initial climb altitude) – often given on the departure (SID) chart
  6. Radio frequency for departure - often given on the departure (SID) chart.
  7. Squawk - is individual, listen carefully!

Digital clearance retrieval

  • AOC Menu in MCDU (if available) allows e.g. obtaining a Predeparture Clearance (PDC) digitally.

ToLiss Airbus – Request Departure Clearance via CPDLC

  1. Access MCDU Menu:

    • Press <MCDU MENU>, then <ATSU>, followed by <AOC MENU>, and finally <DEPARTURE CLEARANCE>.

  2. Fields that need to be filled:

    • Flight Number: Automatically taken from the INIT page, but can be manually changed.
    • Departure Airport: Also automatically filled, can be adjusted if needed.
    • Arrival Airport: Taken from the FMGS.
    • Gate Number: Enter manually (e.g., A14).
    • ATIS ID: Enter the current ATIS ID (e.g., D).
    • Station ID (bottom right): Enter the Hoppie ID of the ATC controller, for VATSIM e.g., EDDH. You can also check the airport ATIS for information about it or Hoppie.

  3. Send request:

    • Once all fields are correctly filled and a valid Hoppie login is entered in the ISCS, an * appears next to .
    • Press <REQUEST SEND> to send the clearance request via telex.

  4. Receive and confirm message:

    • The Pre-Departure Clearance appears on the Received Messages page.
    • There you can read it and confirm/accept it with LSK.

Note: Without a valid Hoppie code or if required fields are missing, sending the request is not possible.

What's next?

Once the clearance has been correctly read back, continue with:

  • Radio frequencies for Ground - found on the airport chart (10-9)