Air Traffic Clearance

AIM ¶ 5-5-2 — Air Traffic Clearance

AIM 5-5-2 explains pilot and controller responsibilities for ATC clearances, readbacks, hold short instructions, and deviations. Study guide for checkrides.

In Plain English

AIM 5-5-2 outlines the shared responsibilities between pilots and controllers when an ATC clearance is issued. As a pilot, you must:

Acknowledge receipt and understanding of every clearance.
Read back any hold short of runway instructions issued by ATC.
Request clarification or amendment if a clearance is unclear or unsafe.
Promptly comply with the clearance, unless an emergency requires otherwise.
Advise ATC promptly and obtain an amended clearance if you must deviate.

Important note: a landing clearance ensures separation on the runway, but it does not cancel any previously issued altitude crossing restriction — you must still comply with those.

Controllers, in turn, must issue clearances per established criteria, assign IFR altitudes at or above minimum IFR altitudes in controlled airspace, ensure pilot acknowledgement, and verify readbacks of altitude, heading, and other critical items — correcting any errors.

This paragraph reinforces the closed-loop communication that prevents runway incursions, altitude busts, and clearance deviations during real-world IFR and VFR operations.

AIM Source Text

FAA AIM ¶ 5-5-2

5-5-2. 5-5-2. Air Traffic Clearance Pilot. Acknowledges receipt and understanding of an ATC clearance. Reads back any hold short of runway instructions issued by ATC. Requests clarification or amendment, as appropriate, any time a clearance is not fully understood or considered unacceptable from a safety standpoint. Promptly complies with an air traffic clearance upon receipt except as necessary to cope with an emergency. Advises ATC as soon as possible and obtains an amended clearance, if deviation is necessary. NOTE- A clearance to land means that appropriate separation on the landing runway will be ensured. A landing clearance does not relieve the pilot from compliance with any previously issued altitude crossing restriction. Controller. Issues appropriate clearances for the operation to be conducted, or being conducted, in accordance with established criteria. Assigns altitudes in IFR clearances that are at or above the minimum IFR altitudes in controlled airspace. Ensures acknowledgement by the pilot for issued information, clearances, or instructions. Ensures that readbacks by the pilot of altitude, heading, or other items are correct. If incorrect, distorted, or incomplete, makes corrections as appropriate.

Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1What clearance items are pilots specifically required to read back?

Per AIM 5-5-2, pilots must read back any hold short of runway instructions issued by ATC. Controllers also verify readbacks of altitude, heading, and other items for correctness.

Q2If you receive a clearance you don't fully understand or believe is unsafe, what should you do?

Per AIM 5-5-2, the pilot should request clarification or amendment any time a clearance is not fully understood or is considered unacceptable from a safety standpoint.

Q3Does a landing clearance cancel a previously issued altitude crossing restriction?

No. Per AIM 5-5-2, a landing clearance ensures appropriate separation on the landing runway but does not relieve the pilot from compliance with any previously issued altitude crossing restriction.

Related Paragraphs in AIM Chapter 5

¶ 5-5-1

Pilot/Controller Responsibilities