As a high controller in a radar environment, what is the preferred phraseology for giving a guy a shortcut 3 or 4 fixes down his route or sending him back on course after a vector for spacing or something? Because I've heard "cleared/proceed direct xxx...

• ...on course"
• ...flight planned route"
• ...balance/remainder of route unchanged"

I'm having trouble finding a specific reference for this if it's not a whole IFR clearance being issued. Curious if all 3 mean the same thing, and if there's a consensus or it's at your discretion.

I've only heard "remainder of route unchanged" when receiving a reroute or new clearance.

"Cleared direct ABC, flight plan" is probably the most common. Some controllers just say "Cleared direct ABC"

Go Guns wrote:Some controllers just say "Cleared direct ABC"

Where else are you going to go after ABC other than your flight planned route ? Adding "remainder of route unchanged" or similar verbiage IMO just wastes airtime.

Big Pistons Forever wrote:

Go Guns wrote:Some controllers just say "Cleared direct ABC"

Where else are you going to go after ABC other than your flight planned route ? Adding "remainder of route unchanged" or similar verbiage IMO just wastes airtime.

In simulation, the virtual airplanes will call "requesting further clearance" about 20 miles before ABC... so we've got to use one of the above phrases to get them to shut up.

Clearing someone direct ABC navaid/fix, doesn't change their clearance limit and therefore shouldn't require anything further. The best way to look at it is to do it the way they want you to it while in the school and then do it the way your OJI want's during OJT.

As mentioned above, being cleared direct to a point does not change your clearance limit, ergo you would continue after that point as filed. "Cleared direct XYZ and hold" would be changing your clearance limit, for example.

Thanks!