clearance
KLEER-uns
/ˈklɪərəns/
Official authorization given by air traffic control for an aircraft to proceed under specified conditions.
Must be read back verbatim by pilots to ensure absolute clarity and prevent runway collisions or airspace violations.
The story behind the word. From Old French 'clerté', from Latin 'clarus' (clear, bright). In navigation and military operations, 'clearance' evolved to mean making a path clear of obstacles or hazards, then becoming the formal authorization to proceed.
Word relationships
- authorization: Authorization is administrative permission; clearance is specific, operational airspace permission.
- denial: Refusal or rejection of requested authorization.
Commonly confused with
- permission: Permission is general; clearance carries legally binding conditions and mandatory readback rules.
Word family
- clear (verb): To grant authorization for movement.
Collocations
- takeoff clearance
- landing clearance
- ATC clearance
- clearance limit
Idioms & expressions
- give the clearance (grant official permission)
Example sentences
- "The flight crew received taxi clearance from ground control before moving away from the gate." Pre-departure phase
- "You are cleared to land runway two-seven left; contact tower after clearing the active runway." Landing phase
Memory hook
CLEARANCE makes the runway CLEAR for take-off. Official permission to fly or move.
When not to use
Do not use 'clearance' for simple informal permission between friends; it implies formal, regulatory authorization.
Fun facts
- Failure to repeat an ATC clearance accurately is one of the leading causes of pilot error warnings.
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