Climb via, descend via & Speed clearances FAQ FAA

What does a “CLIMB VIA” clearance mean?. Comply with the lateral path of the SID. Comply with all published speed restrictions. Comply with all published altitude restrictions. All above are correct.

When could I receive a climb via clearance?. Usually during take off roll. Either with your initial ATC departure clearance or as an airborne clearance.

I receive Pre Departure Clearances (PDC). How will I know if I have received a climb via clearance?. The phrase "CLIMB VIA SID" will be included in the body of your PDC. The phrase "CLIMB AND MANTAIN" will be included in the body of your PDC.

I am cleared to climb via a SID with a charted “Top Altitude” . What altitude am I cleared to?. 10,000 feet AGL, unless ATC assigns a different altitude. The charted “Top Altitude”, unless ATC assigns a different altitude.

How do I determine what altitude to climb to if I receive a climb via clearance?. The clearance limit altitude, or ““Top Altitude” ,” of the procedure will be included in the narrative of the chart, such as “MAINTAIN FL190”. You would climb to maintain that altitude while complying with all published restrictions. The clearance limit altitude, or ““Top Altitude” ,” of the procedure will be included in the narrative of the chart, such as “MAINTAIN FL190”. You would climb to maintain that altitude whithout complying with all published restrictions.

What if the SID does not have published restrictions or a published “Top Altitude” ; what altitude will I climb to?. Your initial ATC clearance will contain “MAINTAIN” followed by the altitude to climb and maintain. (“MAINTAIN 5000”). You should ask the controller for a climb clearance.

I am cleared to “CLIMB VIA SID”, but the controller (or PDC) states “EXCEPT MAINTAIN” followed by an altitude. What altitude am I cleared to and do I have to comply with published altitude restrictions during my climb?. The charted “Top Altitude”. You are cleared to the altitude that ATC assigned and you must comply with all other altitude and speed restrictions unless explicitly cancelled by ATC. (“CLIMB VIA SID, EXCEPT MAINTAIN NINE THOUSAND”).

I am cleared to “Climb Via SID”. What if there is a published altitude restriction at a fix that is higher than the charted “Top Altitude” ?. You should follow that altitude restriction, unless ATC assign a different altitude. You are only cleared to the charted “Top Altitude” contained in the narrative of the procedure, unless ATC assigns a different altitude.

What if I depart on a climb via clearance and later given a clearance to “Climb and Maintain” an altitude; should I comply with any published altitude restrictions?. NO. Unlike a “Climb Via” clearance, when cleared to “Climb and Maintain,” you are expected to vacate your current altitude and commence an unrestricted climb to comply with the clearance. For aircraft already climbing via a SID, published altitude restrictions are deleted unless re- issued by ATC. Speed restrictions remain in effect unless the controller explicitly cancels or amends the speed restrictions. YES. You always need to respect any published restrictions, unless ATC give you other instruction.

I depart on a climb via clearance with a “Top Altitude” of 15,000 feet and the departure controller says “Climb via the (SID NAME) departure, EXCEPT MAINTAIN one three thousand.” Do I comply with any published altitude restrictions prior to reaching 13,000?. NO. You should continue your climb to 15,000 feet. YES. All published restrictions, including speed, are mandatory.

I’m on a climb via clearance and the controller vectors me off the procedure. Do I continue to “Climb Via?”. NO. You are laterally and vertically off of the procedure. The controller will issue an altitude to maintain and provide a further “expect” clearance. YES. Even if you are out of the procedure, you should follow the speed and altitude restrictions.

What if I receive a “Cleared” or “Cleared Via” clearance; am I permitted to climb to meet any published altitudes?. NO. Only a “Climb Via” clearance gives you the vertical authorization to climb and comply with the published altitude restrictions. The other two examples are a “lateral” clearance. YES. "Climb Via" and "Cleared Via" are exactly the same.

What if there are “EXPECT” altitudes published on the SID?. Expect altitudes are for planning purposes only and you are not expected to comply with published “EXPECT” restrictions unless ATC has specifically instructed you to do so. If there's an "EXPECT" altitude published on the chart, you should ask a clearance to follow them.

What do I say to the departure controller on initial contact if I have received a “CLIMB VIA SID” clearance from the Tower or PDC?. As you do today, report your flight number or aircraft identification, followed by your current altitude; then state “Climbing Via the (SID Name) departure.”. You only need to say "Climbing VIA the (SID Name) departure and wait for instructions.

I received a “CLIMB VIA SID, EXCEPT MAINTAIN (Altitude)” clearance from the tower (or PDC). What do I say to the departure controller on initial contact?. As you do today, report your flight number or aircraft identification, followed by your current altitude; then state the published altitude you’re climbing to, followed by “Climbing Via the (SID Name) departure. As you do today, report your flight number or aircraft identification, followed by your current altitude; then state the altitude you’re climbing to, followed by “Climbing Via the (SID Name) departure.

What does a “DESCEND VIA” clearance mean?. Comply with the lateral path of the STAR. Comply with all published speed restrictions. Comply with all published altitude restrictions. All above all correct.

I am cleared to “DESCEND VIA” a STAR. What altitude am I cleared to?. The last instruction altitude. The charted “Bottom Altitude” of the procedure, unless ATC assigns a different altitude.

How do I determine the “Bottom Altitude” of the STAR?. You need to calculate the bottom altitude using the 60-1 rule. It is the last published altitude on the STAR or STAR Runway Transition that you are assigned.

If an instrument approach procedure connects to the STAR, are the instrument approach procedure altitudes part of the STAR?. Yes, you should continue the approach without any clearance. No, you must receive an appropriate approach clearance from ATC before descending below the bottom altitude of the STAR on a “Descend Via” clearance.

Are MEAs/MOCAs considered “altitude restrictions" for “Descend Via” purposes?. NO. MEAs and MOCAs are not considered altitude restrictions for the purposes of a “Descend Via” clearance. Only “At,” “At or Above,” and “At or Below” and “Window” restrictions published at a waypoint/fix are considered altitude restrictions for the purposes of a “Descend Via” clearance. A Pilot should not descend to a segment MEA or MOCA when cleared to “Descend Via.”. YES. You should always maintain any altitude above MEAs and MOCAs.

Should I begin an immediate descent when issued a “Descend Via” clearance?. You need to descent inmediatly after receiving the "Descend Via" clearance. You are permitted to descend at your discretion in order to meet the published restrictions.

Can ATC issue a "Descend Via" clearance for a STAR that does not have published crossing restrictions? Some STARs do not have crossing restrictions but only MEAs and or MOCAs. A “Descend Via” clearance will not be used on a STAR that does not have published altitude restrictions. Yes, and you should descend at pilot's discretion.

I am cleared to “descend via” a STAR, but the controller adds “EXCEPT MAINTAIN (Altitude).” What altitude am I cleared to and do I have to comply with published altitude restrictions during my descent?. You must comply with all published altitude and speed constraints until reaching the assigned altitude, unless explicitly cancelled by ATC. You are cleared to the published altitude and speed constraints only.

I’m on a descend via clearance and the controller vectors me off the procedure. Do I continue to “descend via?”. YES. You cannot deviate from the "descent via" clearance. NO. You are laterally and vertically off of the procedure. The controller will issue an altitude to maintain and provide a further “expect” clearance.