Military Terrain Clearance

Gerard M · #1 19th May 2009, 07:56 PM

I have another question as google was unable to help me.
Was listening to the radio and heard the controller tell Trojan 27 to maintain 3*00ft, military terrain clearance, etc etc.

What is the difference between this clearance and i guess maintaining a normal 3000ft altitude?

Cheers
Gerard

And yes i just realized there is a typo in the title, so mods feel free to fix it please.

NickN · #2 19th May 2009, 08:20 PM

It wasn't minimum terrain clearance that they said?

Mick.B · #3 19th May 2009, 08:31 PM

Never heard that one before.

Daniel G · #4 19th May 2009, 09:02 PM

Out of curiosity, what were they doing? Were they being vectored around?

Gerard M · #5 19th May 2009, 09:34 PM

From what Nick said i'm second guessing what i heard now although he did repeat it twice so i thought i heard military. From the sounds of it he was heading towards Richmond to complete some sort of op as there was three odd requests from the controller whether he wanted to continue with his ops despite the weather. They were out west for a while and then were coming into i think the Richmond training area?

Does maintain minimum terrain clearance fit better than military?

Drew H · #6 19th May 2009, 09:51 PM

I've definitely heard it used for hercs before too, so I don't think you misheard, Gerard.

Daniel G · #7 19th May 2009, 10:14 PM

Interesting! I believe the military use a different type of navigational chart? Different set of rules also. Always very cautious flying into places such as Willy or Townsville and interpreting the clearances they deliver, particularly at night into Williamtown!

Nicholas Togias · #8 20th May 2009, 11:15 AM

"descend to 2000, military terrain clearance" is the same as the civilian world using the phrase "descend to 2000, VISUAL".

When this clearance is given the pilot is accepting responsibility for terrain avoidance below the minimum altitudes for terrain clearance in IMC (MVA, MSA, LSALT).

Daniel G · #9 20th May 2009, 11:56 AM

Ah, I assumed that this scenario was at night, going off the time of the post. Also Nick, you can only descend 'visual' if you are in fact visual - not in IMC.

Nicholas Togias · #10 20th May 2009, 12:04 PM

yes, apologies, for descending visual I understand you have to have reported visual, but in regards to "military terrain clearance" a military pilot can descend below LSALT in IMC as long as "military terrain clearance" is given in conjuction with the descent instruction.

Quote:

"descend to 2000, military terrain clearance" is the same as the civilian world using the phrase "descend to 2000, VISUAL".

SO - I guess its not the same thing