Definition
The time at which a pilot can expect to receive further clearance, typically issued by ATC when an aircraft has been instructed to hold. If radio communication is lost, the pilot uses this time to know when to leave the holding fix and continue the flight.
Plain English
ATC tells you a specific time — for example, 1845 — when you should expect new instructions. If your radio fails while you're holding, you leave the holding point at that time and keep going as planned.
Context Anchor
You will usually see or hear this during delays, holding, or other situations where air traffic control needs an aircraft to wait before continuing.
Why Pilots Care
It lets pilots plan fuel use and decide whether to divert if the expected delay exceeds reserves.
Intuition Check
Do not assume the time itself clears you to go. It tells you when to expect another clearance unless air traffic control gives separate instructions to leave or continue.
Example Sentence 1
Cleared to hold east of the BOSOX intersection on the 090 radial, expect further clearance at 1845.
Example Sentence 2
With the expect further clearance time approaching, we checked our fuel and prepared for the next instruction.