On Mon, 30 May 2005 13:12:19 GMT, "Jay Honeck"
wrote in TiEme.20500$g66.9921@attbi_s71::

Being told by the Class D tower controller to follow the Arrow in to land
isn't being "cleared"?

No it's not. Being told by the Local Controller to, "Follow the
Arrow" is an instruction. ATC clearances contain the word 'cleared'
and ATC provides separation from known aircraft. Because Class D
Local Controllers are only able to provide runway clearances to VFR
aircraft, being told by the Local Controller to, "Follow the Arrow" is
an instruction, not a clearance. (Approach Control, not Local
Controllers) provide practice approach clearances to VFR aircraft, but
that's another issue.)

Just so we're all on the same page, here's the Pilot/Controller
Glossary definition for ATC Clearance:

http://www.faa.gov/ATpubs/PCG/A.HTM#...IC%20CLEARANCE

AIR TRAFFIC CLEARANCE- An authorization by air traffic control for
the purpose of preventing collision between known aircraft, for an
aircraft to proceed under specified traffic conditions within
controlled airspace. The pilot-in-command of an aircraft may not
deviate from the provisions of a visual flight rules (VFR) or
instrument flight rules (IFR) air traffic clearance except in an
emergency or unless an amended clearance has been obtained.
Additionally, the pilot may request a different clearance from
that which has been issued by air traffic control (ATC) if
information available to the pilot makes another course of action
more practicable or if aircraft equipment limitations or company
procedures forbid compliance with the clearance issued. Pilots may
also request clarification or amendment, as appropriate, any time
a clearance is not fully understood, or considered unacceptable
because of safety of flight. Controllers should, in such instances
and to the extent of operational practicality and safety, honor
the pilot's request. 14 CFR Part 91.3(a) states: "The pilot in
command of an aircraft is directly responsible for, and is the
final authority as to, the operation of that aircraft." THE PILOT
IS RESPONSIBLE TO REQUEST AN AMENDED CLEARANCE if ATC issues a
clearance that would cause a pilot to deviate from a rule or
regulation, or in the pilot's opinion, would place the aircraft in
jeopardy.

That's just bureaucratic hogwash. If the Class D controller didn't have the
jurisdiction, he shouldn't have given the instruction.

Right; Being told by the Local Controller to, "Follow the Arrow" is an
instruction, not a clearance. ATC Instructions, unlike ATC
Clearances, do not provide separation from other known aircraft to
prevent collision. Because being instructed by the Local Controller
to, "Follow the Arrow" is not a clearance, the pilot has the
discretion to navigate his aircraft as he determines appropriate
within the bounds of the instruction, including a 360 degree turn for
spacing (not recommended) if s/he feels that is the most appropriate
action to remain outside of Class B airspace in this case while
following the Arrow.

Here's the definition for ATC Instruction:

http://www.faa.gov/ATpubs/PCG/A.HTM#ATC%20INSTRUCTIONS

ATC INSTRUCTIONS- Directives issued by air traffic control for the
purpose of requiring a pilot to take specific actions; e.g., "Turn
left heading two five zero," "Go around," "Clear the runway."