Cleared as Mud

Instrument-rated pilots should be well-versed in the complexities of instrument flight rules operations. A crucial aspect of IFR flying is understanding and adhering to air traffic control clearances, particularly when approaching an airport with multiple instrument approach procedures.  

Are you an instrument-rated pilot? Instrument student? VFR pilot who thinks you’ve got a pretty good handle on IFR procedures? Let’s find out, shall we? Put your mind’s eye in the cockpit, and see if you can stay on top of this scenario.

Let’s say you’re an instrument-rated pilot flying a Cessna 172S from Riverside Municipal (KRAL) in Southern California on an instrument flight plan to Catalina Island (KAVX). Your clearance takes you from KRAL to Paradise VOR (PDZ), Seal Beach VOR (SLI), Santa Catalina VOR (SXC), and then to KAVX. 

Your plan displayed from SLI VOR to SXC VOR and KAVX.

The weather at KRAL is great, but the weather at KAVX is 1500’ AGL overcast and 2 miles visibility. The airport elevation is 1602’. That puts the overcast ceiling at about 3102’ MSL. 

You plan on flying the VOR-A approach at KAVX (circle to land). It has an MDA of 2580’ with 1 mile visibility required, so it appears you should have sufficient weather to complete the circle-to-land approach. 

You are aware that there is also a VOR DME or GPS-B approach with an MDA of 2220’. You opt for the VOR-A as it will keep you higher above the terrain, and the ceiling should be high enough to allow a descent to landing from MDA. 

Note the higher minimums on the VOR or GPS-A approach.

Everything is going great, and after you cross SLI, you proceed out over the ocean direct to SXC VOR. About halfway between the mainland and the island, you hear, “N172RB, cleared approach.” 

Did the controller make a mistake? You look at your approach plates and see the VOR or GPS-A, and you also see the VOR DME or GPS-B. 

You probably are used to controllers saying something like, “N172RB, you are 3 miles from XXXXX, turn left heading 330, cross XXXXX at 3000, you are cleared for the XXXXX approach.” But this controller only told you, “Cleared approach.” 

You reply to the controller, “SoCal Approach, N172RB, say again, please.” The controller says once again, “N172RB, cleared approach.”