Definition
The time a pilot can expect to receive a clearance to proceed beyond a clearance limit, typically issued by ATC when an aircraft is being held or when a clearance limit is short of the destination. If two-way radio communications failure occurs, the pilot uses the EFC time as the basis for departing the holding fix or clearance limit under lost communications procedures.
Plain English
A time given by ATC telling the pilot when they can expect to be released from a hold or given the rest of their route. It is also a backup plan: if the radios fail, this time tells the pilot when to leave the holding fix and continue.
Context Anchor
Pilots usually encounter EFC times during holding, traffic delays, or when air traffic control cannot yet clear the aircraft farther along its route.
Why Pilots Care
Helps pilots manage fuel planning and decide whether to divert or continue holding.
Grounding Statement
An EFC time is not permission to proceed now; it is the time when the pilot should expect the next clearance.
Intuition Check
Do not read “expect” as a guarantee or as permission to continue. An EFC time only tells you when to expect the next air traffic control clearance.
Example Sentence 1
Cleared to the LEXIN intersection, hold east as published, expect further clearance at 1845.
Example Sentence 2
The pilot monitored fuel status against the EFC to determine if a diversion was needed.