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Instrument Rating · Area III: Air Traffic Control (ATC) Clearances and Procedures

Task A. Compliance with Air Traffic Control Clearances

FAA-S-ACS-8C · Effective 2024-05-31

Official FAA standard (PDF) ↗

Knowledge

What you should understand and be able to explain.

3 elements
  • IR.III.A.K1
    Elements and procedures related to ATC clearances and pilot/controller responsibilities for departure, en route, and arrival phases of flight, including clearance void times.
  • IR.III.A.K2
    Pilot-in-Command (PIC) emergency authority.
  • IR.III.A.K3
    Lost communication procedures and procedures for flights outside of radar environments.

Risk management

Risks to recognize and decisions to consider.

4 elements
  • IR.III.A.R1
    Less than full understanding of an ATC clearance.
  • IR.III.A.R2
    Inappropriate, incomplete, or incorrect ATC clearances.
  • IR.III.A.R3
    ATC clearance inconsistent with aircraft performance or navigation capability.
  • IR.III.A.R4
    ATC clearance intended for other aircraft with similar call signs.
Skill elements and task objectives

This page covers knowledge and risk management. For the complete task, including skill standards, open the FAA document (PDF).