Calling Clearance at Class C airport before Engine Start?

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James Darren

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James D
Hi all,

Is it ok to call clearance on the ground at a Class C airport before you start your engine? I ask as the last time I departed Santa Barbara airport in a C-172, it took almost 15 minutes to get a word in on a busy Sunday afternoon.
 
James Darren said:
Hi all,

Is it ok to call clearance on the ground at a Class C airport before you start your engine? I ask as the last time I departed Santa Barbara airport in a C-172, it took almost 15 minutes to get a word in on a busy Sunday afternoon.
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I do.....
 
At Santa Bara (SBA) it depends on where I am and what runway I am departing from. It I am at Self-Serve I call before starting if I am taking off on runway 25 because it is a long taxi. If I was taking off on runway 7 I would start before calling clearance delivery because it is a short taxi. Just the opposite if I am calling from Signature.
I have never had clearance delivery take more than five minutes at SBA.
I don’t depart on 15 left or right because I don’t like how long I am over water.
 
As my main message I tell them where I am and that I am ready to taxi. If you are at a point where you can start engine immediately after receiving permission to taxi, that should work, but you should not be delaying your movement by any significant delay.

My $0.02
 
I generally call after engine start. I figure if it's quiet or in good weather, there won't be much delay. If it's IMC or busy, might as well hope for an early slot out by being ready to go after a short run-up.
 
MBDiagMan said:
As my main message I tell them where I am and that I am ready to taxi. If you are at a point where you can start engine immediately after receiving permission to taxi, that should work, but you should not be delaying your movement by any significant delay.
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Correct me if I'm wrong, but clearance does not give you permission to taxi? This should only come from ground, yes?
 
James Darren said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but clearance does not give you permission to taxi? This should only come from ground, yes?
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You're right, but VFR flights don't always contact CD in Class C at all, but rather start with Ground. Local procedure. KOAK CD doesn't want to hear from me, but KMRY CD does.

I suppose CD could give you clearance to taxi with them, but I've never heard that. Taxiing with Tower happens all the time with arrivals.
 
The OP wrote "clearance on the ground." That could be taken a few different ways.
 
MAKG1 said:
You're right, but VFR flights don't always contact CD in Class C at all, but rather start with Ground. Local procedure. KOAK CD doesn't want to hear from me, but KMRY CD does.

I suppose CD could give you clearance to taxi with them, but I've never heard that. Taxiing with Tower happens all the time with arrivals.
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Key words.. Local procedure. I use the ATIS and pubs for guidance. Some places want you to call CD when VFR. Some don't.
 
I do it all the time. Saves gas. One airport even had a phone in the flight planning room with a direct line to Clearance Delivery. Just picked it up and asked for my VFR departure clearance and that I'd be taxiing in 15 minutes.
 
No problem,at busy airports you save gas,when ground and clearance are combined,they read your clearance and ask you to call back when ready to taxi.
 
Some FBO's have a radio in pilot briefing room to get your clearance before you get in the plane.
 
James Darren said:
Hi all,

Is it ok to call clearance on the ground at a Class C airport before you start your engine? I ask as the last time I departed Santa Barbara airport in a C-172, it took almost 15 minutes to get a word in on a busy Sunday afternoon.
Click to expand...
I always call clearance before starting engines, at anyplace that has a clearance or a ground.
 
Airports that want vfr airplanes to call clearance delivery will mention that in the ATIS. Austin Bergstrom does that, I usually call before engine start.

At places like Addison in Dallas there may be a 30 minute wait for your clearance!
 
Texastaildragger said:
Some FBO's have a radio in pilot briefing room to get your clearance before you get in the plane.
Click to expand...

I have been to some airports that request you call for clearance before starting engines for noise control. That is usually for turbines though.

Cutter FBO in Phoenix (KPHX) has a radio in the pilot room just for getting clearance before walking to the plane. It is a class B though. It is really convenient in summer so you don't bake passengers while waiting for clearance.
 
Different procedures for different airports. You need to listen to the ATIS to figure out what is expected. Many class C and some D airports (KTMB) require you to call clearance before ground.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
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