Clearance Aircraft Commences Take-Off

Take-off clearance may be issued to an aircraft when there is reasonable assurance that the separation in 1.20.5 will exist when the aircraft commences take-off.

When an Air Traffic Control Clearance is required prior to taking off, the take-off clearance shall not be issued until the Air Traffic Control Clearance has been transmitted to and acknowledged by the aircraft concerned. The Air Traffic Control Clearance shall be forwarded to AERODROME CONTROL TOWER with the least possible delay after receipt of a request made by AERODROME CONTROL TOWER or prior to such request if practicable.

Subject to 1.20.4.3.1, the take-off clearance shall be issued when the aircraft is ready for take-off and at or approaching the departure runway, and the traffic situation permits. To reduce the potential for misunderstanding, the take-off clearance shall include the designator of the departure runway.

Conditional phrases, such as “behind landing aircraft” or “after departing aircraft”, shall not be used for movements affecting the active runway(s), except when the aircraft or vehicles concerned are seen by AERODROME CONTROL TOWER and pilot. The aircraft or vehicle causing the condition in the clearance issued shall be the first aircraft/vehicle to pass in front of the other aircraft concerned. In all cases a conditional clearance shall be given in the following order and consist of:

a) identification;

b) the condition;

c) the clearance; and

d) brief reiteration of the condition,

for example: BEHIND B739 ON SHORT FINAL, LINE UP BEHIND