11/3/22 

Pilot/Controller Glossary 

CLEAR OF THE RUNWAY

−

 

a. 

Taxiing aircraft, which is approaching a 

runway, is clear of the runway when all parts of the 
aircraft are held short of the applicable runway 
holding position marking. 

b. 

A pilot or controller may consider an aircraft, 

which is exiting or crossing a runway, to be clear of 
the runway when all parts of the aircraft are beyond 
the runway edge and there are no restrictions to its 
continued movement beyond the applicable runway 
holding position marking. 

c. 

Pilots and controllers shall exercise good 

judgment to ensure that adequate separation exists 
between all aircraft on runways and taxiways at 
airports with inadequate runway edge lines or 
holding position markings. 

CLEARANCE

−

 

(See AIR TRAFFIC CLEARANCE.) 

CLEARANCE LIMIT

−

 The fix, point, or location to 

which an aircraft is cleared when issued an air traffic 
clearance. 

(See ICAO term CLEARANCE LIMIT.) 

CLEARANCE LIMIT [ICAO]

−

 The point to which 

an aircraft is granted an air traffic control clearance. 

CLEARANCE  VOID IF NOT OFF BY (TIME)

−

 

Used by ATC to advise an aircraft that the departure 
release is automatically canceled if takeoff is not 
made prior to a specified time. The expiration of a 
clearance void time does not cancel the departure 
clearance or IFR flight plan. It withdraws the pilot’s 
authority to depart IFR until a new departure 
release/release time has been issued by ATC. 

Pilots 

who choose to depart VFR after their clearance void 
time has expired should not depart using the 
previously assigned IFR transponder code. 

(See ICAO term CLEARANCE VOID TIME.) 

CLEARANCE VOID TIME [ICAO]

−

 A time 

specified by an air traffic control unit at which a 
clearance ceases to be valid unless the aircraft 
concerned has already taken action to comply 
therewith. 

CLEARED APPROACH

−

 ATC authorization for an 

aircraft to execute any standard or special instrument 
approach procedure for that airport. Normally, an 

aircraft will be cleared for a specific instrument 
approach procedure. 

(See CLEARED (Type of) APPROACH.) 
(See INSTRUMENT APPROACH 

PROCEDURE.) 

(Refer to 14 CFR Part 91.) 
(Refer to AIM.) 

CLEARED (Type of) APPROACH

−

 ATC authoriza-

tion for an aircraft to execute a specific instrument 
approach procedure to an airport; e.g., “Cleared ILS 
Runway Three Six Approach.” 

(See APPROACH CLEARANCE.) 
(See INSTRUMENT APPROACH 

PROCEDURE.) 

(Refer to 14 CFR Part 91.) 
(Refer to AIM.) 

CLEARED AS FILED

−

 Means the aircraft is cleared 

to proceed in accordance with the route of flight filed 
in the flight plan. This clearance does not include the 
altitude, DP, or DP Transition. 

(See REQUEST FULL ROUTE CLEARANCE.) 
(Refer to AIM.) 

CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF

−

  ATC authorization 

for an aircraft to depart. It is predicated on known 
traffic and known physical airport conditions. 

CLEARED FOR THE OPTION

−

 ATC authoriza-

tion for an aircraft to make a touch-and-go, low 
approach, missed approach, stop and go, or full stop 
landing at the discretion of the pilot. It is normally 
used in training so that an instructor can evaluate a 
student’s performance under changing situations. 
Pilots should advise ATC if they decide to remain on 
the runway, of any delay in their stop and go, delay 
clearing the runway, or are unable to comply with the 
instruction(s). 

(See OPTION APPROACH.) 
(Refer to AIM.) 

CLEARED THROUGH

−

 ATC authorization for an 

aircraft to make intermediate stops at specified 
airports without refiling a flight plan while en route 
to the clearance limit. 

CLEARED TO LAND

−

  ATC authorization for an 

aircraft to land. It is predicated on known traffic and 
known physical airport conditions. 

CLEARWAY

−

 An area beyond the takeoff runway 

under the control of airport authorities within which 
terrain or fixed obstacles may not extend above 

PCG C

−

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