On Wed, 11 Apr 2007 06:11:19 GMT, "Travis Marlatte"
wrote:

I guess I am more used to the three-step process of filing the clearance,
receiving the clearance, and finally being released into the system. On the
ground, that always happens.

It rarely happens to me except at tower controlled airfields. Receiving a
clearance at my home base, I will be issued a Void Time, but the clearance
is active immediately, unless otherwise explicitly stated.

At a tower controlled airfield, I will receive the clearance during taxi or
runup. But then have to await takeoff clearance.


Someone suggested that I don't air-file very often. That's probably true in
the big scheme of things but I have done it a good number of times. I don't
ever remember questioning whether I was really cleared or not before so
maybe I'm just having a brain fade.

I think I was expecting something like, "readback correct. Proceed on
course. Climb maintain 5000."

Someone suggested that as soon as the words were spoken they would have
turned and climbed. That doesn't seem right. That seems like it doesn't give
the controller a chance to manage their airspace. In my mind, I'm leaving
room for something different. Such as, "readback correct. Fly heading 030
for traffic. Climb maintain 3000. I'll have higher for you in a few miles."

If ATC required that you delay executing your clearance, they would most
likely have delayed issuing the clearance, in your situation.
Ron (EPM) (N5843Q, Mooney M20E) (CP, ASEL, ASES, IA)