The AIM and the ATC bible, the 7110.65, say different things about clearing an aircraft direct to an intermediate fix. If you’re not careful, you may end up in a fix yourself.
Straight to the middle
When youre flying a high-tech aircraft, you expect any fix the controller throws at you will be ready to go in your database. Thats probably why an Eclipse pilot accepted a clearance to JISEV for the ILS Rwy 22 approach into Evansville, Ind. JISEV is an intermediate fix (IF) for the approach, and clearing the aircraft to it and then for the approach acts as a proxy for vectoring the aircraft onto the final approach course. Neat and simple for everyone.
Key Takeaways:
- A discrepancy exists between aviation guidance (AIM) and regulations (7110.65) regarding clearing RNAV aircraft direct to an Intermediate Fix (IF) for non-RNAV approaches (like ILS), a technically incorrect but common practice.
- The FAA plans to update both documents to allow RNAV aircraft to be cleared direct to an IF for *any* approach type, provided certain conditions (e.g., intercept angle) are met.
- Future changes will require pilots to fly Hold-In-Lieu-Of-Procedure-Turns (HILO) when cleared direct to a Final Approach Fix (FAF), unless vectors are requested or a NoPT route is flown, and will clarify procedures for ILS/LPV approaches without glideslope.
- Despite ATC errors, pilots are ultimately responsible for accepting clearances they can execute and should clarify or decline if unable to comply.
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