Gary Drescher wrote:

wrote in message ...


Chris Brooks wrote:

I am training in the maryland area. I was cleared for an ILS approach to
runway 27 at HGR the other day.

Here is a plate:
http://204.108.4.16/d-tpp/0406/05114I27.PDF

I was about 17 miles out at 5000 feet when I got cleared for the
approach.
My question is, when can I descend to 4000 feet?

Anyone?

At 17 miles you were not within a published segment of the approach.

If you're vectored onto the approach course and cleared for the approach,
how close to the FAF do you have to be to consider yourself on a published
part of the course and thus permitted to descend to the charted intercept
altitude?

--Gary

The controller is not suppose to issue an "until established" clearance unless
the vector is onto a published segment of the approach. In this case the
controller would issue a crossing restriction at HAIGS, which you are free to
descend to upon receipt of the clearance. If, however, you feel uncomfortable
with that, seek clarification! It is a dual responsibility to stay out of the
rocks and weeds.