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Quiz: Do You Know These 5 Common IFR Phrases?

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If you fly IFR, you'll probably get one of these phrases on your next flight...


  1. 1) You're holding short of the runway, you call tower, and they tell you to "hold for release." What does that mean?

    When ATC says to hold for release, they are trying to find a time slot for you to enter the IFR system. This usually has to do with traffic management and weather issues.

    When ATC says to hold for release, they are trying to find a time slot for you to enter the IFR system. This usually has to do with traffic management and weather issues.

  2. 2) You're at a non-towered field, and you get your ATC clearance along with a clearance void time of 1530Z. What is a clearance void time?

    When departing out of non-towered fields, you are issued a clearance void time, where, if you haven't departed (wheels up) by this time, you clearance is void. You then would be required to contact ATC for a new clearance to your destination.

    When departing out of non-towered fields, you are issued a clearance void time, where, if you haven't departed (wheels up) by this time, you clearance is void. You then would be required to contact ATC for a new clearance to your destination.

  3. 3) ATC asks you to hold at a fix. After they issue your holding clearance, they say "Expect further clearance 1620Z, time now 1550Z." What is the purpose of an EFC time?

    When ATC tells you to hold, they issue you an EFC time for multiple reasons. It gives you an idea of how long you're going to be holding and whether or not you will have to leave the hold and go to your alternate due to fuel constraints. Equally as important, it gives you a time to leave the hold in the event you find yourself in a lost communications situation.

    When ATC tells you to hold, they issue you an EFC time for multiple reasons. It gives you an idea of how long you're going to be holding and whether or not you will have to leave the hold and go to your alternate due to fuel constraints. Equally as important, it gives you a time to leave the hold in the event you find yourself in a lost communications situation.

  4. 4) You're flying from Chicago O'Hare (KORD) to Newark, NJ (KEWR). You are given an EDCT time or an Expect Departure Clearance Time to Newark. Why does ATC issue these?

    ATC will issue EDCT times to aircraft that are flying to airports located within high traffic density regions. This is to help with traffic management going into these airports/airspaces.

    ATC will issue EDCT times to aircraft that are flying to airports located within high traffic density regions. This is to help with traffic management going into these airports/airspaces.

  5. 5) ATC clears you to "descend via the SEEVER FOUR arrival." What does "descend via" mean?
    View FAA Chart

    When ATC asks you to descend via a STAR or climb via a SID, they want you to follow the procedure as published. Meaning, follow the lateral track outlined in the procedure, as well as meet all altitude and speed restrictions to the bottom altitude.

    When ATC asks you to descend via a STAR or climb via a SID, they want you to follow the procedure as published. Meaning, follow the lateral track outlined in the procedure, as well as meet all altitude and speed restrictions to the bottom altitude.

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Corey Komarec

Corey is an Airbus 320 First Officer for a U.S. Major Carrier. He graduated as an aviation major from the University of North Dakota, and he's been flying since he was 16. You can reach him at corey@boldmethod.com.

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