Conditional clearances

Rules for conditional clearances have changed with effect from 14 November 2013.

These changes were notified in the document titled Supplementary Instruction (SI) CAP 493 MATS Part 1 Number 2013/03, which set out changed procedures for conditional clearances.  The key issues are extracted and summarised below. These changes first appeared in Edition 21 of CAP 413 and subsequent amendments.

The Supplementary Instruction explains that: "Conditional clearances and the use of varying phraseology have been identified as a contributory factor in runway incursion incidents. UK aviation industry recently highlighted to the CAA that the long-standing UK variation from ICAO for conditional line-up and runway crossing clearances is considered to be having an adverse impact on runway incursions and frequently requires controllers to press for a full and complete readback of the UK bespoke phraseology from pilots."

What has changed?  "With effect from 14 November 2013, when used in connection with conditional line-up and runway crossing clearances, the RT phraseology ‘AFTER’ is replaced with ‘BEHIND’. Additionally, in accordance with ICAO specifications for the contents of a conditional clearance, the condition ‘BEHIND’ is to be reiterated again at the end of the clearance."

Conditional runway crossings (CAP 413 Section 4.14, 4.15)

Note: In an early version of Edition 21, one of the examples given in CAP 413 in 4.14 (G-CD's reply) misses the repeat of the word 'behind' in the example. This error was corrected in a later amendment in 2015.

Format
ATC: [callsign] Behind the landing (aircraft type), via (point of crossing), cross runway (designator) behind. Report vacated.
Pilot: Behind the landing (aircraft type), via (point of crossing), cross runway (designator) behind. Wilco. [callsign]

Example
ATC:
G-CD, behind the departing Seneca, via Kilo 4, cross runway 02 behind
Pilot: Behind the departing Seneca, via Kilo 4, cross runway 02 behind, G-CD

Conditional line-up:  (CAP 413 Section 4.34)

Format
ATC:
[callsign] Behind the landing (aircraft type), via (holding point), line up runway (designator) behind.
Pilot: Behind the landing (aircraft type), via (holding point), line up runway (designator) behind. [callsign]

Example
ATC:
BIGJET 347, behind the landing DC9, line up behind
Pilot: Behind the landing DC9, line up behind, BIGJET 347

Taxi clearances  (CAP 413 Section 4.12, 4.17)

Note: The use of the phraseology ‘AFTER’ remains permitted in relation to conditional taxi clearances.

'Land after' clearances  (CAP 413 Section 4.57)

Note: The use of the phraseology ‘Land After’ remains permitted in relation to conditional landing clearances.

Military controllers  (CAP 413 Section 4.34)

Military controllers do not apply conditional clearances.

 

References:

CAP 413 (latest edition) is available on the CAA website

Atmospheric Picture

FL45, English Channel.