Definition
The time at which a pilot in a holding pattern can expect to receive a clearance to leave the holding fix and continue on course. ATC issues an EFC time with every holding clearance so the pilot has a planned departure time from the hold in the event of two-way radio communications failure.
Plain English
A specific time given by ATC telling the pilot when they should expect to be cleared to leave the holding pattern and continue the flight.
Context Anchor
Seen in IFR holding instructions, especially when air traffic control expects a delay and needs the aircraft to hold before continuing.
Derivation
Plain English phrase. 'Clearance' in ATC use means a permission or authorization to proceed. 'Further' here means 'additional' — the next clearance after the holding clearance.
Why Pilots Care
It supports accurate fuel planning and helps decide when to request an alternate or divert.
Intuition Check
Do not read EFC as permission to go at that moment. It is a time to expect the next clearance, unless lost-radio rules make that time important for your next action.
Example Sentence 1
Cleveland Center instructed the flight to hold east of the fix and gave an EFC of 2145Z.
Example Sentence 2
With fuel reserves tight, we used the EFC time to decide whether to proceed to the alternate.