6/17/21 

AIM 

terminate a speed adjustment where speed restric-
tions are published on a charted procedure. 

NOTE

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When instructed to “comply with speed restrictions” or to 
“resume published speed,” ATC anticipates pilots will 
begin adjusting speed the minimum distance necessary 
prior to a published speed restriction so as to cross the 
waypoint/fix at the published speed. Once at the published 
speed, ATC expects pilots will maintain the published 
speed until additional adjustment is required to comply 
with further published or ATC assigned speed restrictions 
or as required to ensure compliance with 14 CFR 
Section 91.117. 

EXAMPLE

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(An aircraft is flying a SID/STAR with published speed 
restrictions. ATC issues a speed adjustment and instructs 
the aircraft where the adjustment ends): “Maintain two two 
zero knots until BALTR then resume published speed.” 

NOTE

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The ATC assigned speed assignment of two two zero knots 
would apply until BALTR. The aircraft would then comply 
with the published speed restrictions. 

4. 

Advise the pilot to “delete speed restrictions” 

when either ATC assigned or published speed 
restrictions on a charted procedure are no longer 
required. 

EXAMPLE

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(An aircraft is flying a SID with published speed 
restrictions designed to prevent aircraft overtake on 
departure. ATC determines there is no conflicting traffic 
and deletes the speed restriction): “Delete speed 
restrictions.” 

NOTE

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When deleting published restrictions, ATC must ensure 
obstacle clearance until aircraft are established on a route 
where no published restrictions apply. This does not relieve 
the pilot of those speed restrictions which are applicable to 
14 CFR Section 91.117. 

5. 

Instruct the pilot to “climb via” or “descend 

via.” A climb via or descend via clearance cancels any 
previously issued speed restrictions and, once 
established on the depicted departure or arrival, to 
climb or descend, and to meet all published or 
assigned altitude and/or speed restrictions. 

EXAMPLE

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1. 

(An aircraft is flying a SID with published speed 

restrictions. ATC has issued a speed restriction of 250 knots 
for spacing. ATC determines that spacing between aircraft 
is adequate and desires the aircraft to comply with 
published restrictions): “United 436, Climb via SID.” 

2. 

(An aircraft is established on a STAR. ATC must slow an 

aircraft for the purposes of spacing and assigns it a speed 
of 280 knots. When spacing is adequate, ATC deletes the 
speed restriction and desires that the aircraft comply with 
all published restrictions on the STAR): “Gulfstream two 
three papa echo, descend via the TYLER One arrival.” 

NOTE

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1. 

In example 1, when ATC issues a “Climb via SID” 

clearance, it deletes any previously issued speed and/or 
altitude restrictions. The pilot should then vertically 
navigate to comply with all speed and/or altitude 
restrictions published on the SID. 

2. 

In example 2, when ATC issues a “Descend via <STAR 

name> arrival,” ATC has canceled any previously issued 
speed and/or altitude restrictions. The pilot should 
vertically navigate to comply with all speed and/or altitude 
restrictions published on the STAR. 

CAUTION

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When descending on a STAR, pilots should not speed up 
excessively beyond the previously issued speed. Otherwise, 
adequate spacing between aircraft descending on the STAR 
that was established by ATC with the previous restriction 
may be lost. 

g. 

Approach clearances supersede any prior speed 

adjustment assignments, and pilots are expected to 
make their own speed adjustments as necessary to 
complete the approach. However, under certain 
circumstances, it may be necessary for ATC to issue 
further speed adjustments after approach clearance is 
issued to maintain separation between successive 
arrivals. Under such circumstances, previously 
issued speed adjustments will be restated if that speed 
is to be maintained or additional speed adjustments 
are requested. Speed adjustments should not be 
assigned inside the final approach fix on final or a 
point 5 miles from the runway, whichever is closer to 
the runway. 

h. 

The pilots retain the prerogative of rejecting the 

application of speed adjustment by ATC if the 
minimum safe airspeed for any particular operation is 
greater than the speed adjustment. 

NOTE

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In such cases, pilots are expected to advise ATC of the 
speed that will be used. 

i. 

Pilots are reminded that they are responsible for 

rejecting the application of speed adjustment by ATC 
if, in their opinion, it will cause them to exceed the 
maximum indicated airspeed prescribed by 14 CFR 
Section 91.117(a), (c) and (d). 

IN SUCH CASES, 

THE PILOT IS EXPECTED TO SO INFORM ATC. 

ATC Clearances and Aircraft Separation 

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