Understanding IFR Clearances and ATIS Information
Ray, from the MzeroA team, demonstrates how to pick up an IFR clearance at Georgetown Municipal Airport (GTU) before departing to Waco Regional (ACT). The process begins with listening to the ATIS broadcast, which provides critical information on:
- Current weather conditions
- Active runways and closures
- Construction updates
- UAS (unmanned aircraft systems) activity
By obtaining ATIS, pilots can confirm they are aware of the airport environment and prepared for safe operations.
Using the CRAFT Acronym to Copy an IFR Clearance
A simple way to remember the structure of an IFR clearance is the acronym CRAFT:
- C – Clearance Limit: In this case, cleared to Waco Regional Airport.
- R – Route: The route filed was via DART on Victor 17 airway to ACT. Filing preferred routes often results in “cleared as filed”.
- A – Altitude: Initial climb is usually 3,000-4,000 feet, with an expected cruise altitude (filed at 7,000 feet). Altitude assignments also provide guidance in the event of lost communications.
- F – Frequency: The departure frequency for Georgetown in 127.22, controlled by Austin.
- T – Transponder (squawk) code: Assigned a discrete code (7214 in this flight).
This structure helps pilots organize and copy clearances efficiently, even in a busy Class D environment.
IFR Departure Procedures from a Class D Airport
Once the clearance was read back correctly, the aircraft was assigned runway heading with a right turn to 100 degrees after departure, maintaining 3,000 feet initially. After departure, ATC provided radar vectors and a climb to 5,000 feet, then cleared direct to the DART fix to intercept Victor 17 en route to Waco.
Key IFR departure considerations included:
- Completing a thorough pre-takeoff checklist.
- Programming the flight plan into the avionics before entering IMC.
- Anticipating radar vectors and being ready for changes from ATC.
- Using automation effectively while maintaining situational awareness.
This real-world example highlights the importance of being ahead of the airplane and minimizing workload after takeoff.
Why the Instrument Rating is a Game Changer
This video emphasizes how earning an instrument rating improves safety and confidence as a pilot. Even for VFR-only flights, understanding IFR procedures makes pilots more knowledgeable and prepared. The MzeroA team encourages aspiring instrument pilots to pursue training, reinforcing that “a good pilot is always learning.”
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