Aero-Tips!

A good pilot is always learning -- how many times have you heard this old standard throughout your flying career? There is no truer statement in all of flying (well, with the possible exception of "there are no old, bold pilots.")

Aero-News has called upon the expertise of Thomas P. Turner, master CFI and all-around-good-guy, to bring our readers -- and us -- daily tips to improve our skills as aviators. Some of them, you may have heard before... but for each of us, there will also be something we might never have considered before, or something that didn't "stick" the way it should have the first time we memorized it for the practical test.

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Aero-Tips 10.05.06

"November 329PT, descend at pilot's discretion to 3000 feet."

This is a very common Air Traffic Control (ATC) directive. What does it authorize the pilot to do, and what expectations do controllers have after issuing the clearance?

Clearance at pilot's discretion

Issuing a "PD" clearance (not good radio phraseology, by the way) authorizes the pilot to begin a climb or descent whenever he/she wishes. The pilot may also continue at the current altitude until such time as he/she begins a climb or descent, or until ATC comes back with an altitude assignment that does not include the "pilot's discretion" modifier.

Once the pilot begins to climb or descend on a PD clearance, he/she can maintain any rate of vertical speed he/she wants, and may temporarily level off at an intermediate altitude without asking controllers.

However, once a pilot leaves an altitude on a PD clearance he/she may not return to that altitude. Beginning climb or descent signifies to ATC that the pilot no longer wishes to be on the original altitude.

Aero-tip of the day: Understand your options and obligations upon accepting a "pilot's discretion" clearance.

FMI: Aero-Tips