Plain English Meaning

Permission from air traffic control to do something specific, like take off, land, or fly a particular route. Once you accept it, you must follow it.

Full Definition

An authorization issued by air traffic control (ATC) for an aircraft to proceed under specified conditions within controlled airspace. A clearance permits a pilot to take a specific action — such as taking off, landing, taxiing, entering a runway, or flying a route or altitude — and is binding once accepted.

Context Anchor

Pilots hear and read clearances in radio calls, ground movement instructions, and landing instructions, and route or altitude instructions from air traffic control.