When to descend II

pgbnh wrote:

OK, now how does this change if, prior to reaching ROYCE, we are switched to
the tower and Tower says Cessna 123, cleared to land. (The OP did receive
such a clearance, but it was not clear where he was at the time)Does the
altitude restriction still hold?

I would say no, as, to me, 'Cleared to land' means that I am now in control
of my heading and altitude


You are correct.

Newps wrote:



pgbnh wrote:

OK, now how does this change if, prior to reaching ROYCE, we are
switched to the tower and Tower says Cessna 123, cleared to land. (The
OP did receive such a clearance, but it was not clear where he was at
the time)Does the altitude restriction still hold?

I would say no, as, to me, 'Cleared to land' means that I am now in
control of my heading and altitude



You are correct.

So, it is now okay to descend into that traffic that you speculated
exists in your early post in this thread?

Yes, because the issuance of the 'Clear to land' indicates that the traffic
is no longer an issue. I forget the FAR numbers, but I believe my obligation
is to comply with the most recently received directions from ATC. Clear to
land means I am the decision maker on heading and altitude and previous
restrictions and directions no longer apply
"Bee" wrote in message ...
Newps wrote:



pgbnh wrote:

OK, now how does this change if, prior to reaching ROYCE, we are
switched to the tower and Tower says Cessna 123, cleared to land. (The
OP did receive such a clearance, but it was not clear where he was at
the time)Does the altitude restriction still hold?

I would say no, as, to me, 'Cleared to land' means that I am now in
control of my heading and altitude



You are correct.

So, it is now okay to descend into that traffic that you speculated exists
in your early post in this thread?

At the least I would ask the tower if the ROYCE crossing restriction was
deleted.

pgbnh wrote:
Yes, because the issuance of the 'Clear to land' indicates that the traffic
is no longer an issue. I forget the FAR numbers, but I believe my obligation
is to comply with the most recently received directions from ATC. Clear to
land means I am the decision maker on heading and altitude and previous
restrictions and directions no longer apply
"Bee" wrote in message ...

Newps wrote:



pgbnh wrote:


OK, now how does this change if, prior to reaching ROYCE, we are
switched to the tower and Tower says Cessna 123, cleared to land. (The
OP did receive such a clearance, but it was not clear where he was at
the time)Does the altitude restriction still hold?

I would say no, as, to me, 'Cleared to land' means that I am now in
control of my heading and altitude



You are correct.

So, it is now okay to descend into that traffic that you speculated exists
in your early post in this thread?

Not necessary, if the tower wants it they need to restate it.



Bee wrote:

At the least I would ask the tower if the ROYCE crossing restriction was
deleted.

But, I don't know all those controller rules. Is that in the AIM anywhere?

If not, I would exercise my PIC option to seek clarification.

Newps wrote:
Not necessary, if the tower wants it they need to restate it.



Bee wrote:

At the least I would ask the tower if the ROYCE crossing restriction
was deleted.

Bee wrote:
But, I don't know all those controller rules. Is that in the AIM anywhere?

If not, I would exercise my PIC option to seek clarification.



By all means ask if you're unsure. But it's still not necessary. Just
like an approach clearance cancels a speed restriction unless restated
or a descend and maintain clearance cancels a pilot discretion descent.

"Bee" wrote in message ...

So, it is now okay to descend into that traffic that you speculated exists
in your early post in this thread?


Traffic wasn't an issue.

If the controller is using vertical separation between the OP's aircraft and
traffic beneath him that lower traffic would also require an altitude
restriction that insured separation. The minimum separation is 1000' if the
lower aircraft is IFR and 500' if it's VFR, but the altitude restriction
cannot be lower than the MVA. Look at the approach plate, there is a 593
MSL tower about four miles southwest of ROYCE, the MVA can't be lower than
1600 MSL within three miles of that tower, and it's probably higher. Do the
math.