1. Training
2. Approach
3. Non-Precision Approach to Uncontrolled Airport

So many controllers are unsure of what is the correct way to give proper clearance into an un-controlled field when pilots requests a non-precision approach. The following information is gathered from various pages of the ATC Bible 7110.650. The problem approaches seem to be those with a LETTER designation at the end of the chart.

For instance NDB-C approach; or the VOR/DME or GPS-A approach. Notice the [A] represents the ending for either the VOR/DME “or” the GPS approach. Don’t misread it as [A] only belonging to the GPS only. The letter on any of these type charts represent a “circle to land” phrasing for proper clearance. The example is a scenario of a pilot flying Portland Approach Airspace requesting a Non-Precision approach into KSPB.

PILOT: ‘Portland Approach, N57SF with request’

PDX APP: ‘N57SF, PDX APP go ahead with your request’

PILOT: ‘Requesting the VOR/DME-A approach into Scappoose Industrial Airpark’

PDX APP: ‘N57SF, you can expect that’

[controller looks up chart and gathers needed information to give the clearance]

PDX APP: ‘N57SF cleared direct BTG, cross BTG at or above five thousand six hundred feet, cleared VOR/DME-ALPHA approach into Scappoose Airpark [don’t assign runway/circling as this is uncontrolled field], report procedure turn inbound.’

[pilot reports inbound from the procedure turn]

PDX APP: "N57SF no traffic observed between you and the airport; report IFR cancellation or Missed Approach on this frequency, change to advisory frequency approved." [IF there is traffic alert them to that; also remember the ONE in/out rule for this type of approach.]

[pilot reports IFR cancellation prior to landing]

PDX APP: “N57SF IFR cancellation received, squawk VFR; change to advisory frequency approved”

This example was based on the pilot having GPS or FMC suffix. BUT..... if pilot was slant Alpha then you would need to give pilot a slightly different clearance from the start. Remember the PTAC [position, turn, altitude, clearance].

So you would say “[a/c id] you are  X [miles] from [VOR or NBD], turn [heading] to intercept outbound radial [VOR and number if using VOR to get to fix], cleared direct [fix]; cross FIX at or above [refer to chart], cleared NDB-ALPHA approach, report procedure turn inbound.” Words in “quotes” are in the proper sequence to say in the phraseology; don’t twist and turn them around to suit your needs; but instead realize that the wording only follows a logical sequence 2+2=4.