You and two friends are flying to Nashville for a weekend of great music. It will be an IFR flight from Asheville, North Carolina (KAVL), to John C. Tune (KJWN). Your clearance is what you expect: “Cleared to the John C Tune Airport. Asheville Seven Departure, then as filed. Climb via the SID.” You depart Runway 35 on an assigned runway heading. Handed off to Departure at 3000 MSL, you are instructed to proceed direct Snowbird. Looking in that direction, you notice those mountains look disturbingly close.
Who’s Responsible?
There are two components to ATC clearances and instructions. ATC’s primary responsibility is keeping IFR aircraft from running into each other. Our associated responsibility is to comply with ATC clearances and instructions. Particularly during the approach and initial departure phases, though, we and ATC are also concerned with remaining clear of terrain and obstacles.
