"Clearance on Request"
 

Isn't this an ATC only phrase? My pet peeve is pilots who call up clearance delivery and say "clearance on request to XYZ." Perhaps another "useless phrase?"

I dont get it...Must be an IFR thing.

-LA

You're exactly right, it is an ATC only phrase. It is used mainly from a VFR tower when the controllers have to call up the TRACON to get your clearance for you. Happened to me a lot when flying out of Morristown, NJ. They would have to call up New York TRACON on a land line to get my clearance, as well as a release. What the pilot should say is "xxx clearance, N12345 request IFR clearance to xxx with information xxx."

I beg to differ, Alex. SUPT teaches students to say "clearance on request, standing by ready to copy." Since many commercial pilots are military trained, it probably is just a habit pattern. I do it and will continue to since that was how I learned and it gets the desired effect.

Seinfeld, what is SUPT?

I'm a civilian trained pilot and former flight instructor and I have never seen this phrase in any pilot publication. I'm in agreement with Alex.

Well, according to the AIM that's incorrect phraseology. Read section 5-2-3 and you'll see the correct phraseology.

SUPT - specialized undergrad pilot training

-LA

Thanks, LAFF...

Alex, I concede to you. I assume the AIM says what you claim. Fact is I have never opened the AIM. All I know is that when I start my preflight I let clearance delivery know "clearnace on request, ready to copy." Sometimes immediately, but usually later I get my IFR. It has the desired effect. All I am saying is that the mil teaches that technique and many mil pilots use it. Why do you guys care so much?

I don't think it's that big of a deal, however, I always make my students read through the AIM and adhere to proper phraseology. I just think using the same standard phraseology keeps people from possibly getting confused, therefore making our skies just that little bit safer...