Definition
An ATC clearance issued to an IFR aircraft that authorizes the pilot to execute a specific instrument approach procedure to a particular runway at the destination airport. The clearance names the approach by type (for example, ILS, RNAV, VOR, or LOC) so there is no ambiguity about which procedure the pilot will fly.
Plain English
Air traffic control is telling the pilot exactly which instrument approach to fly into the airport — not just that they can land, but which published procedure to use to get down through the clouds.
Context Anchor
Heard on the radio during arrival, usually when a pilot is being set up to descend toward an airport under air traffic control instructions.
Derivation
“Cleared” comes from the idea of making a path free or open. In aviation radio use, it means air traffic control has given permission for a specific action. “Approach” means the part of flight where the aircraft is getting close to the airport to land.
Why Pilots Care
It tells the pilot which navigation guidance, altitudes, and procedures must be followed to complete the arrival safely and legally.
Intuition Check
“Cleared” does not mean the whole route is free of all risk or that the pilot can do anything they want. Here it means ATC has authorized one specific approach, and the pilot must follow that clearance and any attached restrictions.
Example Sentence 1
Approach control radioed, ‘Cessna 234, cleared ILS Runway 27 approach.’
Example Sentence 2
The cleared type of approach determines which approach plate the crew briefs before descent.