IFR Clearances
CRAFT format, departure instructions, approach, missed approach
The CRAFT Memory Aid
IFR clearances follow CRAFT: • C — Cleared to (destination or fix) • R — Route • A — Altitude (initial, then expect) • F — Frequency (departure) • T — Transponder (squawk code) Write it down as it comes in, in this order.
Full IFR Clearance
“Cessna 4 Sierra Uniform, cleared to Boise Airport via the Seattle One departure, direct BTG, V23, direct. Climb and maintain 5,000, expect 11,000 ten minutes after departure. Departure frequency 125.65, squawk 4217.”
“Cleared to Boise Airport via Seattle One departure, direct BTG, V23, direct. Climb and maintain 5,000, expect 11,000 ten minutes after departure. Departure 125.65, squawk 4217, 4 Sierra Uniform.”
Read Back the Entire Clearance
IFR clearances must be read back completely. Every element — destination, route, altitude, expect altitude, frequency, squawk. If you miss a piece, ATC will correct you. If you read it all back correctly, you're cleared.
IFR Readback Errors
- ✗"Copy, 4 Sierra Uniform" — not an IFR clearance readback.
- ✗Omitting "expect 11,000 ten minutes after departure" — required.
- ✗Saying the squawk as "forty-two seventeen" — must be digit-by-digit: "four two one seven."
- ✗Missing the departure frequency — required readback.
IFR Approach Clearance
“Cessna 4 Sierra Uniform, cleared ILS runway 16 Right approach, maintain 3,000 until established.”
“Cleared ILS runway 16 Right approach, maintain 3,000 until established, 4 Sierra Uniform.”
Missed Approach
“Cessna 4 Sierra Uniform, execute missed approach, climb and maintain 3,000, turn right heading 180.”
“Executing missed approach, climb and maintain 3,000, right heading 180, 4 Sierra Uniform.”
Wake Turbulence Separation
After a heavy jet, ATC may say "caution, wake turbulence." You don't need to read back the caution, but you do need to read back any associated instructions. "Caution wake turbulence, wind 270 at 6" → read back the wind, acknowledge the caution: "Wind 270 at 6, wilco, 4 Sierra Uniform."