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Approach clearance for aircraft on a STAR

Asked by: 2319 views FAA Regulations, Flight Instructor, General Aviation

For aircraft arriving at KBFL via PMD.FASTO2 can an approach clearance be issued without any further routing? IE aircraft is over PMD at 140 routed via PMD.FASTO2 and the controller states “N12345 cleared ILS approach Bakersfield.”

1 Answers



  1. John D Collins on Jan 18, 2024

    Sure, why not?

    This is from the Instrument Procedures Handbook:

    “If a feeder route to an IAF begins at a fix located along the route of flight prior to reaching the holding fix, and clearance for an approach is issued, a pilot should commence the approach via the published feeder route. For example, the aircraft would not be expected to overfly the feeder route and return to it. The pilot is expected to commence the approach in a similar manner at the IAF, if the IAF for the procedure is located along the route of flight to the holding fix.”

    This is a note provided to controllers via 7110.65AA when issuing an approach clearance:

    8. An aircraft which has been cleared to a holding fix and prior to reaching that fix is issued a clearance for an approach, but not issued a revised routing; that is, “proceed direct to….” may be expected to proceed via the last assigned route, a feeder route (if one is published on the approach chart), and then to commence the approach as published. If, by following the route of flight to the holding fix, the aircraft would overfly an IAF or the fix associated\ with the beginning of a feeder route to be used, the aircraft is expected to commence the approach using the published feeder route to the IAF or from the IAF as appropriate; that is, the aircraft would not be expected to overfly and return to the IAF or feeder route.

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