Getting the IRF clearance on line / internet

[MooneyBob]

I usually get my clearance the traditional way - from the ground control, clearance delivery frequency or on the phone. I overheard that you can get the clearance on the internet, maybe DUAT (S)?

How does it work? How long before the take off you need to request it? What is the void time like? I am talking about the actual clearance not the IFR flight plan. I file through my Garmin pilot all the time.

 

Anybody has any experiences with it?

Thanks

[Jeff_S]

I'm not aware of an automated way to get the actual clearance via any data source, at least not for GA.  There may be data feeds for the big iron but I have no familiarity with that. It is true now that there are several ways to see what clearance you'll actually be given when you do finally call in.  ForeFlight will do this automatically, and send you the actual assigned route if you file through that device. You can also sign up for alerts for your N-number on FlightAware, such that after you file, when the flight plan is input into the ATC system and gets to FlightAware, you will get an email showing you your actual clearance.

 

This is helpful in that you can have your route programmed into the avionics before you actually call in, so it can save some steps. But as far as I know you still do have to talk to an ATC human being to get your actual clearance.

[John Pleisse]

What...just a void time? How would you read back? Just wondering.

[MooneyBob]

I have no idea. That's why I am searching for the answer. On my Garmin Pilot something pops up and it asking me to either Confirm or Ignore after I filed on line, but I never tried it.

[chrisk]

 You can also sign up for alerts for your N-number on FlightAware, such that after you file, when the flight plan is input into the ATC system and gets to FlightAware, you will get an email showing you your actual clearance.

 

This is helpful in that you can have your route programmed into the avionics before you actually call in, so it can save some steps. But as far as I know you still do have to talk to an ATC human being to get your actual clearance.

 

This is what I do, but it is not perfect.  On Sunday, I got the basic clearance in an email from Flightaware, but the controller gave me a DP when I called clearance delivery on the field. 

[WardHolbrook]

I am not aware of any why to get the actual clearance online, but there are at least a couple of ways to get your expected ATC routings - one through FlightAware.com and the other through FltPlan.com. You can set them up to send you a text or email (or both) as soon as your flight plan enters the system. (Up to 2 hours prior to your ETD.) The messages will give you your expected ATC routing and delays. You can also set them up to provide notices of departure and arrival to via text or e-mail to family and friends. In the jet, all flights are IFR and these services are worth their weight in gold. I can't tell you the last time I received a clearance that was different than what we were expecting. It has happened, but in the 100 or so flight plans I filed over the last 12 months it happened only once or twice. It makes life easy to have the routing displayed on your smart phone as you're taking down your clearance. 

 

As always, there are some caveats when using the “expected ATC routes” function of Fltplan.com and other similar websites:

The Planned ATC Route is not an ATC clearance. You must still contact Clearance Delivery, Ground Control, FSS, or Departure Control to get a valid ATC Clearance.

The Planned ATC Route is not a PDC.

The Planned ATC Route is what ATC is planning for your flight, and will most likely be the Route segment of your ATC clearance. So you can expect to receive the standard routings/vectors to the applicable departure and arrival gates.

The Planned ATC Route will usually be available about 10 minutes after the flight plan is transmitted to the ATC system.

For international departures to the U.S., the Planned ATC Route is usually not available until 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

The Planned ATC Route is for informational purposes only and may differ from what you actually get from Clearance Delivery.

 

If you guys aren't using Fltplan.com you're missing one of the best bargains and most useful tools out there. If you wait until you've started your engine to get your clearance and figure out if your routing is going to be as filed, you're making things much more difficult than necessary on yourself. There is a lot of value in a handheld that you keep in your flightbag as a safety backup, but the true utility is to use it to check ATIS and get your clearance far enough in advance to get everything sorted out in your mind prior to engine start. It's pretty much SOP in the corporate and airline world to get your clearance 20 to 30 minutes prior to engine start and taxi. With a handheld you can do the same thing.

[FlyDave]

I file IFR on fltplan.com and my clearance as well as updates get sent directly into Garmin Pilot. This is not your actual clearance. That has to be read to you and your confirm it by read back.

Fltplan.com calls it a PDC - Pre Departure Clearance. It's nice to be able to do any required research on the clearance and have your avionics set up and ready to go right after read back. Just make sure the PDC is the same as what the controller gives you.

[MB65E]

+1 Fltplan.com

[Jerry 5TJ]

I file IFR on fltplan.com and my clearance as well as updates get sent directly into Garmin Pilot. This is not your actual clearance. That has to be read to you and your confirm it by read back.

Fltplan.com calls it a PDC - Pre Departure Clearance. It's nice to be able to do any required research on the clearance and have your avionics set up and ready to go right after read back. Just make sure the PDC is the same as what the controller gives you.

I was once chided by ATC when I called on frequency and said I wanted to pick up "prefiled IFR clearance."   They made it clear I had a request on file, and they would give me the clearance.  Which they did.  And, the cleared route was similar to what I had filed, er, requested via ForeFlight, but not exactly the same. 

[WardHolbrook]

Fltplan.com calls it a PDC - Pre Departure Clearance. It's nice to be able to do any required research on the clearance and have your avionics set up and ready to go right after read back. Just make sure the PDC is the same as what the controller gives you.

No, PDC is something totally different. PDCs are actual IFR clearances that preclude the need to contact clearance delivery and are the same as a verbal clearance . FlightPln.com does have a PDC service that you can subscribe to, but it is for turboprop and jet aircraft. Here's some more info...

 

http://www.fltplan.com/pdcinfo.htm?

[MooneyBob]

I am not aware of any why to get the actual clearance online, but there are at least a couple of ways to get your expected ATC routings - one through FlightAware.com and the other through FltPlan.com. You can set them up to send you a text or email (or both) as soon as your flight plan enters the system. (Up to 2 hours prior to your ETD.) The messages will give you your expected ATC routing and delays. You can also set them up to provide notices of departure and arrival to via text or e-mail to family and friends. In the jet, all flights are IFR and these services are worth their weight in gold. I can't tell you the last time I received a clearance that was different than what we were expecting. It has happened, but in the 100 or so flight plans I filed over the last 12 months it happened only once or twice. It makes life easy to have the routing displayed on your smart phone as you're taking down your clearance. 

 

As always, there are some caveats when using the “expected ATC routes” function of Fltplan.com and other similar websites:

The Planned ATC Route is not an ATC clearance. You must still contact Clearance Delivery, Ground Control, FSS, or Departure Control to get a valid ATC Clearance.

The Planned ATC Route is not a PDC.

The Planned ATC Route is what ATC is planning for your flight, and will most likely be the Route segment of your ATC clearance. So you can expect to receive the standard routings/vectors to the applicable departure and arrival gates.

The Planned ATC Route will usually be available about 10 minutes after the flight plan is transmitted to the ATC system.

For international departures to the U.S., the Planned ATC Route is usually not available until 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

The Planned ATC Route is for informational purposes only and may differ from what you actually get from Clearance Delivery.

 

If you guys aren't using Fltplan.com you're missing one of the best bargains and most useful tools out there. If you wait until you've started your engine to get your clearance and figure out if your routing is going to be as filed, you're making things much more difficult than necessary on yourself. There is a lot of value in a handheld that you keep in your flightbag as a safety backup, but the true utility is to use it to check ATIS and get your clearance far enough in advance to get everything sorted out in your mind prior to engine start. It's pretty much SOP in the corporate and airline world to get your clearance 20 to 30 minutes prior to engine start and taxi. With a handheld you can do the same thing.

Thanks a lot.

[FlyDave]

No, PDC is something totally different. PDCs are actual IFR clearances that preclude the need to contact clearance delivery and are the same as a verbal clearance . FlightPln.com does have a PDC service that you can subscribe to, but it is for turboprop and jet aircraft. Here's some more info...

 

http://www.fltplan.com/pdcinfo.htm?

Ward,

 

You're absolutely correct!

Thanks for the clarification.

 

Dave

[Marauder]

I am not aware of any why to get the actual clearance online, but there are at least a couple of ways to get your expected ATC routings - one through FlightAware.com and the other through FltPlan.com. You can set them up to send you a text or email (or both) as soon as your flight plan enters the system. (Up to 2 hours prior to your ETD.) The messages will give you your expected ATC routing and delays. You can also set them up to provide notices of departure and arrival to via text or e-mail to family and friends. In the jet, all flights are IFR and these services are worth their weight in gold. I can't tell you the last time I received a clearance that was different than what we were expecting. It has happened, but in the 100 or so flight plans I filed over the last 12 months it happened only once or twice. It makes life easy to have the routing displayed on your smart phone as you're taking down your clearance.

As always, there are some caveats when using the “expected ATC routes” function of Fltplan.com and other similar websites:

The Planned ATC Route is not an ATC clearance. You must still contact Clearance Delivery, Ground Control, FSS, or Departure Control to get a valid ATC Clearance.

The Planned ATC Route is not a PDC.

The Planned ATC Route is what ATC is planning for your flight, and will most likely be the Route segment of your ATC clearance. So you can expect to receive the standard routings/vectors to the applicable departure and arrival gates.

The Planned ATC Route will usually be available about 10 minutes after the flight plan is transmitted to the ATC system.

For international departures to the U.S., the Planned ATC Route is usually not available until 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

The Planned ATC Route is for informational purposes only and may differ from what you actually get from Clearance Delivery.

If you guys aren't using Fltplan.com you're missing one of the best bargains and most useful tools out there. If you wait until you've started your engine to get your clearance and figure out if your routing is going to be as filed, you're making things much more difficult than necessary on yourself. There is a lot of value in a handheld that you keep in your flightbag as a safety backup, but the true utility is to use it to check ATIS and get your clearance far enough in advance to get everything sorted out in your mind prior to engine start. It's pretty much SOP in the corporate and airline world to get your clearance 20 to 30 minutes prior to engine start and taxi. With a handheld you can do the same thing.

Ward -- do you know if the app version works like the website? I downloaded the app but haven't played around with it too much.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[WardHolbrook]

Ward,

 

You're absolutely correct!

Thanks for the clarification.

 

Dave

Oh that I could hear those words from my wife!

[WardHolbrook]

Ward -- do you know if the app version works like the website? I downloaded the app but haven't played around with it too much.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I think so, but honestly, I've never used the app much. I've always gone online and did everything at home then headed out to the airport.

[Hector]

Here in north Florida the expected flight clearance I get in Foreflight nearly always matches what I get from the tower. In South Florida, however, I seem to do no better than 50/50. About half the time I get a different route than the expected clearance I receive from Foreflight. I guess the Miami Bravo causes a lot of last minute changes?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[WardHolbrook]

Here in north Florida the expected flight clearance I get in Foreflight nearly always matches what I get from the tower. In South Florida, however, I seem to do no better than 50/50. About half the time I get a different route than the expected clearance I receive from Foreflight. I guess the Miami Bravo causes a lot of last minute changes?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Are you checking sites like FlightAware or FltPlan.com to see what routing ATC is giving aircraft with comparable performance prior to filing? I've found the secret to filing into of out of Class Bravo airports (or any tower controlled airport for that matter) is to find out what their departure and arrival gates (fixes) are and file appropriately. I would also suggest you give them a call on the phone and ask that their departure routing criteria is. (I guarantee that it's not an arbitrary decision made at the whim of some controller.) Knowing that and filing accordingly is a time saver for all concerned. Like I said earlier, I've come to expect "cleared as filed" clearances pretty much 98% to 99% of the time. You've got got to do a little homework prior to filing your flight plan. Most of the time it's just a matter of looking up what ATC has given other aircraft on those two websites.     

[rainman]

+4? On fltplan.com . What I see on the site after the e-mail alert is pretty much what I get when I call TRACON on the phone from the plane. Having it all written down and researched makes the departure easier. My home base is untowered and there are no ground clearance frequencies.