What is A Cruise Clearance?

Cruise Clearance:

• Authorizes the pilot to conduct flight at any altitude from the minimum IFR altitude up to and including the altitude specified in the clearance.

• You can level off or climb or descend in this block of airspace. However, once the pilot reports descending from an altitude in the block of airspace he may not return without additional ATC clearance.

• Approval for the pilot to proceed to and make an approach at the destination airport.

A Cruise clearance would sound something like this "Skymaster 123 cleared to the Natchitoches Airport cruise three thousand".

Robbie Johnson
Chief Pilot
http://www.aviationtraining.us