Cleared for an approach, then given a different altitude assignment

) wrote:

When they say "Maintain XXXXX altitude" after having received an approach
clearance you have to maintain the altitude. Obviously, you can't continue
the approach and maintain 3,000. So, you comply with the latest clearance.

Which I did. Having heard "Aircraft XXX, cancel previous approach
clearance, maintain current heading" or some such instruction to other
aircraft many times now, I mistakenly assumed that the controller was
required to cancel the approach clearance first. That history is what
prompted my confusion.

No doubt that it is a squeeze play, but the controller apparently had a good
reason. Once he deletes the restriction and, if at the point you are too
high to continue the approach, then you so advise him.

This scenerio will (or should) only happen in a radar environment.

Thank you for your concise explanation.

--
Peter