ATC'ers - Clearances

Cpt_Kirk

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Display name:
Ted Striker
This morning I was holding short of the runway awaiting my IFR release when I had to return to the ramp because a passenger's daughter went into labor. I taxied back, shut down, let them deplane, cranked up again, and taxied out on my previously issued IFR (not taxi) clearance.

I asked the controller if the previously issued IFR clearance was still valid and he confirmed that it was. At what point would an issued clearance expire or no longer be valid? I'm familiar with a flight plan's time limit in the system but not what happens when a clearance has been issued and you have an unexpected delay.
 
Clearance void time is 30' usually at an uncontrolled airport. If you're at a controlled airport, the tower has to get a release from approach or center, so I don't think there's a time, but I really am not sure.
 
Forever if you weren't given a void time. The "hold for release, released at and clearance void time" procedures were 'overhauled' and went into much more detail than previously many years ago. There had been 'incidents' that led to this. In your case you were "awaiting" IFR release so you must have been told "hold for release" when you copied the clearance. If for some reason the clearance has "gone bad" because maybe it timed out of the system or the traffic situation has changed, it will be caught when you call for release.
 
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I should have made it clearer that I was at a towered field while it was open. My mistake.

Im just curious about what would have happened if i had recieved my clearance, got taxi instructions from ground, returned to the ramp, shutdown, and then never cranked back up (assuming I never called the tower to let them know of my intentions after shutting down).
 
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I should have made it clearer that I was at a towered field while it was open. My mistake.

Im just curious about what would have happened if i had recieved my clearance, got taxi instructions from ground, returned to the ramp, shutdown, and then never cranked back up (assuming I never called the tower to let them know of my intentions).

If no action had been taken by the tower staff to extend your flight plan it would have timed out two hours after the proposed departure time.
 
Clearance void time is 30' usually at an uncontrolled airport.
If I get 15 mins I feel lucky; usually the vinob is 10, often less - and I am usually in the boonies. You really see them tie up the airspace for >30mins? I must misunderstand.
 
Clearance void time is 30' usually at an uncontrolled airport. If you're at a controlled airport, the tower has to get a release from approach or center, so I don't think there's a time, but I really am not sure.

A 30 minute void time would be at an airport way off the beaten path. I can't imagine a controller ever issuing a "window" that long. There is a hard limit of 30 minutes to advise ATC if you were unable to depart. That is there so they don't have to block the airspace on your route for a long time.

4−3−4. DEPARTURE RESTRICTIONS,
CLEARANCE VOID TIMES, HOLD FOR
RELEASE, AND RELEASE TIMES
Assign departure restrictions, clearance void times,
hold for release, or release times when necessary to
separate departures from other traffic or to restrict or
regulate the departure flow.
REFERENCE−
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 10−3−1, Overdue Aircraft.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 10−4−1, Traffic Restrictions.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 10−4−3, Traffic Resumption.
a. Clearance Void Times.
1. When issuing clearance void times at airports
not served by control towers, provide alternative instructions requiring the pilots to advise ATC of their
intentions no later than 30 minutes after the clearance
void time if not airborne.
 
I've had MANY times were I had to taxi back to parking for a maintenance issue. I just ask if our clearance is still valid. You have two hours to open your flight plan from your proposed departure time you filed. Your IFR flight plan is opened at your IFR release which would be when you are cleared for take-off.
 
I've had MANY times were I had to taxi back to parking for a maintenance issue. I just ask if our clearance is still valid. You have two hours to open your flight plan from your proposed departure time you filed. Your IFR flight plan is opened at your IFR release which would be when you are cleared for take-off.
That's what I wanted to know. Thanks. I was thinking that it was officially opened when I copied my clearance and started moving the airplane on the ground at a towered field... not sure why.
 
You can have the tower/clearance delivery update your flight plan if you think that you're going to be longer than two hours. Any half-trained flight data person can do that with just a few keystrokes and Bob's your uncle.
 
so do your runup before copying the clearance?...in case you have an issue you haven't spend your and controllers time with it?
 
That's what I wanted to know. Thanks. I was thinking that it was officially opened when I copied my clearance and started moving the airplane on the ground at a towered field... not sure why.
Ah. Glad you got your answer. A delay in takeoff aka "Hold for release" just means "hang in there until we can fit you into the system." And it can take place at both towered and untiwered airports.
 
Ah. Glad you got your answer. A delay in takeoff aka "Hold for release" just means "hang in there until we can fit you into the system." And it can take place at both towered and untiwered airports.

Yep. Then you get the dreaded "Taxi to the penalty box and await release".

DCA and Wilke-Barre really like those hold for an hour releases.... Especially on go home day. :mad:
 
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