Descend at Pilot's Discretion
Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2019 1:13 am
Hello everyone. Quick question.
Was flying in the Western expansion today, IFR from KDEN to KGJT. I was at FL280 and was issued an instruction to "descend at pilot's discretion" to FL240. I continued at FL280 and determined my point I wanted to start my descent. Upon reaching that point I started my descent. The controller came on told me that anytime I am leaving an altitude for another altitude even on a pilot's discretion instruction that I must "report starting my descent" to the controller. I acknowledged the feedback.
However, this confused me a bit. I've had many, many instructions before to descend at pilot's discretion and fly them all the same. I usually determine if I need to start my descent immediately or if I have some time to stay at current altitude before starting my descent and then descend. But I've never had anyone say anything when I start my descent without notifying the controller. Today was the first time it was mentioned to me. Hence my confusion.
I Googled the topic and there seemed to be no clear answer to this as there were just a bunch of opinions for and against reporting.
Looking at the AIM 4−4−10. Adherence to Clearance - it states:
c. The term “AT PILOT’S DISCRETION”
included in the altitude information of an ATC
clearance means that ATC has offered the pilot the
option to start climb or descent when the pilot wishes,
is authorized to conduct the climb or descent at any
rate, and to temporarily level off at any intermediate
altitude as desired. However, once the aircraft has
vacated an altitude, it may not return to that altitude.
So this helps a little, but doesn't mention if any report to the controller must be made once the climb/descent is actually started.
The controller today was very professional about it and I took it as useful information to improve my communication skills, but like I mentioned earlier, it confused me as it has never been mentioned to me on previous flights.
I'm hoping someone can shed some definitive light on this as I want to comply with the proper regulation.
Thank you (sorry for the long post)
Eric
Was flying in the Western expansion today, IFR from KDEN to KGJT. I was at FL280 and was issued an instruction to "descend at pilot's discretion" to FL240. I continued at FL280 and determined my point I wanted to start my descent. Upon reaching that point I started my descent. The controller came on told me that anytime I am leaving an altitude for another altitude even on a pilot's discretion instruction that I must "report starting my descent" to the controller. I acknowledged the feedback.
However, this confused me a bit. I've had many, many instructions before to descend at pilot's discretion and fly them all the same. I usually determine if I need to start my descent immediately or if I have some time to stay at current altitude before starting my descent and then descend. But I've never had anyone say anything when I start my descent without notifying the controller. Today was the first time it was mentioned to me. Hence my confusion.
I Googled the topic and there seemed to be no clear answer to this as there were just a bunch of opinions for and against reporting.
Looking at the AIM 4−4−10. Adherence to Clearance - it states:
c. The term “AT PILOT’S DISCRETION”
included in the altitude information of an ATC
clearance means that ATC has offered the pilot the
option to start climb or descent when the pilot wishes,
is authorized to conduct the climb or descent at any
rate, and to temporarily level off at any intermediate
altitude as desired. However, once the aircraft has
vacated an altitude, it may not return to that altitude.
So this helps a little, but doesn't mention if any report to the controller must be made once the climb/descent is actually started.
The controller today was very professional about it and I took it as useful information to improve my communication skills, but like I mentioned earlier, it confused me as it has never been mentioned to me on previous flights.
I'm hoping someone can shed some definitive light on this as I want to comply with the proper regulation.
Thank you (sorry for the long post)
Eric