Performance Based Navigation (PBN)
Climb/Descend Via and Speed Adjustment Clearances
August 14, 2012
On August 14, 2012, the FAA made a determination to postpone “Climb Via” procedure implementation that was to go into effect August 15. Descend Via procedures, which have been in effect for some time, will remain in use and are not affected.
Climb Via: Implementation Postponed
The FAA has made a last minute determination to postpone “Climb Via” procedure implementation that was to go into affect August 15. Descend Via procedures, which have been in effect for some time, will remain in use and are not affected.
This means Climb Via implementation will not occur on August 15.
FAA will determine a revised implementation date and advise industry when that is known.
Background Information
The FAA is planning to implement use of "climb via" phraseology for route transitions and/or the assignment of standard instrument departure (SID) and area navigation (RNAV) SID procedures containing speed and altitude restrictions. Diligent adherence to these procedures on the part of aircrews is critical and non-compliance can easily result in Pilot Deviations being filed by the FAA.
Concurrently, the FAA will amend speed assignment and termination phraseologies. The climb via phraseology and procedures have been developed for departure operations and are consistent with existing descend via phraseology and procedures. Both climb via and “descend via” have been added to the Pilot/Controller Glossary. Other than implementing use of climb via there is no change in altitude clearance procedures.
Application of Climb Via to RNAV SID/STAR
Pilots departing on conventional and RNAV SIDs are required to comply with any published altitude and speed restrictions. When ATC removes an aircraft from the lateral or vertical path of a SID and subsequently re-clears an aircraft onto the procedure, ATC is required to re-issue applicable restrictions. Climb via may be used to clear aircraft to join a SID after departure or resume a SID.
Clearance to "climb/descend via" a procedure with published restrictions authorizes the pilot to navigate laterally and vertically on a SID or STAR. The pilot must meet all published speed and altitude restrictions. The climb or descent may be made at pilot’s discretion.
Climb Via Requirements
- Pilots are expected to respond to climb or descend via clearances normally by repeating the climb/descend via clearance verbatim; abbreviated read backs will result in controllers repeating instructions until pilots give a verbatim read back of the clearance.
- When subsequently changing frequency pilots must advise ATC on initial contact of current altitude, the procedure climbing/descending via and runway transitions if assigned.
- If issued an altitude or speed not contained on the procedure advise ATC of restrictions issued by the previous controller.
- It cannot be over emphasized that pilot use of the complete, correct phraseology is imperative. Phrases such as "on the" or "descending on" a procedure are not acceptable and can create additional ATC workload to verify the clearance that was issued to the pilot by the previous controller.
NBAA Climb Via Tutorial
The NBAA Access Committee has prepared a detail tutorial on Climb Via that we highly recommend all pilots review prior to the August 15th Climb Via implementation.
View the Climb Via Tutorial (800 KB, PDF)
FAA Notices and Information On New Procedures
- FAA Video Tutorial: Climb/Descend Via
- FAA Information for Operators (InFO) will be available in the near future
- FAA Notices to Airmen publication (NTAP) will be available in the near future
