Here are some examples of various Pre Departure Clearances:

"Clearance delivery" on Tower VHF frequencies has been around for many years and took up a lot of time reading the long message and then asking for a "read back". But a few years ago the FAA got into the 21 Century and started using ARINC'S ACARS system to deliver these clearances over the local ACARS frequencies at selected airports around the country.

This could be the first step to the FAA using digitalized communications for many other ATC clearances. They have said they are planning for this. But instead of using a proven existing system, they are planning to invent an entirely new operation using transponder fequencies! This should be interesting!

Except for Air Canada, I have not found any foreign carriers making use of this as yet. Maybe, you all might have caught such a message. I'd appreciate your help in letting me know who they are.

The following are a few examples of PDC (Pre Depature Clearance) messages I've copied. The transmission "times" are given after the upload and sometimes at the start.

ACARS mode: 2  Aircraft reg: .N615UA
Message label: RA  Block id: I  Msg. no: QUAT
Flight id: CCDUA~
Message content:-
1**DPTR CLRNC**
FLT 902-13 SFO - JFK
UAL902 SFO
B/B767/G P2015 RQ370
XPDR 3627
MAINT FL230 EXP REQ
ALT 10 MIN AFT T/O
GND CTL FREQ 121.8
/DPTR CTL SEE SID
DO NOT EXCEED 250 KTS
TIL ADVISED
-SFO6 S
SFO SAC J32 BAM-
SFO SFO6 SFO
SAC./.JFK

--------------[13/02/1996 11:54]
ACARS mode: 2  Aircraft reg: .C-FDSU
Message label: 4P  Block id: E  Msg. no: -//
Flight id: ATC P9
Message content:-
47 YYZOWAC 13FEB/2004 OAK      C-FDSU/   /0756            
TIMESTAMP 13FEB96 20:04
*PRE-DEPARTURE CLEARANCE*
155
FLT ACA0756/13 KSFO
T/EA32/R P2030 BQ370
XPRD 3656 EDCT 1230
MAINT FL230 EXP REQ ALT 10 MI
N AFT T/O
GND CTL FREQ 124.25/DPTR CTL SEE SID
DO NOT EXCEED 250 KTS TIL ADVISED
-SFO6 SFO LIN-
KSFO LIN J84 SNY***CYYZ
@ICAO REG/CFDSU SEL/FQC***
--------[13/02/1996 12:04]

[09/09/1996 15:14]
2  .N401UP  37  J  NYSD  FXY5X
 PDC UPS9801/09 OAK-RNO
----ATC CLEARANCE----
CLEARED AS FILED
 MAINTAIN FL 230
 CONTACT BAY DEPARTURE
 ON 120.9
SQWK: 4546            
DO NOT EXCEED 250
KNOTS UNTIL ADVISED
CALL 121.1 FOR
DEPARTURE INSTRUCTIONS
----FILED FLT PLAN----
SAC OAK SLNT7 REBAS
SAC216 SAC SIER2 RNO
PROPOSED ETD: 2224Z
REQUESTED ALT: 210
A/C: F/B757/E      
---END OF CLEARANCE---
 
[09/09/1996 18:40]
2  .N453UP  37  C  NYSD  FXY5X
 PDC CURRENTLY
UNAVAILABLE.  PLEASE
RETRY 20 MINUTES PRIOR
TO RELEASE TIME.
< ACARS SYSTEM
  GENERATED MESSAGE >
 
[09/09/1996 18:44]
2  .N453UP  37  L  NYSD  FXY5X
 PDC UPS0945/10 OAK-SDF
----ATC CLEARANCE----
-OAK4 OAK LIN J84 MVA-
THEN AS FILED
 MAINTAIN FL 230
 CONTACT BAY DEPARTURE
 ON 120.9
SQWK: 1705            
DO NOT EXCEED 250
KNOTS UNTIL ADVISED
----FILED   FLT PLAN----
OAK LIN J84 EKR J116
FQF J80 MKC J24 STL
ENL***SDF
PROPOSED ETD: 0215Z
REQUESTED ALT: 270
A/C: F/B757/E      
---END OF CLEARANCE---
 
[13/02/1996 12:42]
ACARS mode: 2  Aircraft reg: .N302UA
Message label: RA  Block id: W  Msg. no: QUAT
Flight id: CCDUA~
Message content:-
1**DPTR CLRNC**
FLT 2941-13 SFO - ONT
UAL2941 SFO
T/B73S/G P2110 RQ370
XPDR 1774
MAINT FL230 EXP REQ
ALT 10 MIN AFT T/O
GND CTL FREQ 121.8
/DPTR CTL SEE SID
DO NOT EXCEED 250 KTS
TIL ADVISED
AVE SFO PORTE9
WAGES AVE./.ONT
 
-----------[13/02/1996 12:47]

Aircraft reg: .N605AU
Message label: C1  Block id: X  Msg. no: .FFX
Flight id: FMUS 1
Message content:-
32047
AGM
AN N605AU/AP SFO
-  PDCSSFO 0058 605
EQP L/B757/G  P2115
SQK 6324    ALT 370
-SFO6 SFO LIN-
SFO LIN J84 EKR./.CLT
MAINT FL230 EXP REQ
ALT 10 MIN AFT T/O
GND CTL FREQ
124.25/DPTR CTL  
SEE SID  
DO NOT EXCEED 250
KTS TIL ADVISED      
SQK 6324
PDC VALID UNTIL 2315Z
-- END OF MESSAGE --

[17/09/1996 14:39]
2  .N655FE  C1  R  .MEM  XRFX 1               (A-300)             
72139
AGM
AN N655FE
-  PDC
FDX3853/17  XPNDR 1731     H/EA30/E
DEPT: OAK   TIME: P2200Z    FL330
.
AVE
 OAK SKYL3 WAGES AVE***BUR
 @ RMK/AGCS
.
 CONTACT BAY DEPARTURE ON 135.1
 MAINTAIN 10000

(Time missing)
ACARS mode: 2  Aircraft reg: .N974UA
Message label: RA  Block id: V  Msg. no: QUAT
Flight id: CCDUA~
Message content:-
1**DPTR CLRNC**
FLT 1048-13 SFO - GEG
PDC NOT STORED IN     
UNIMATIC-CONTACT      
CLEARANCE DELIVERY    
BY VOICE TO OBTAIN    
PDC    
 
ACARS mode: 2  Aircraft reg: .N174UA
Message label: RA  Block id: F  Msg. no: QUAT
Flight id: CCDUA~
Message content:-
1**DPTR CLRNC**
FLT 837-13 SFO - NRT
UAL837 KSFO
H/B74F/R P2140 RQ350
XPDR 1730 EDCT 2200
MAINT 3000 EXP REQ
ALT 3 MIN AFT T/O
GND CTL FREQ 121.8
/DPTR CTL SEE SID
.....
KSFO STINS6 ENI C1486
GUTTS GEBCO
GAVEL***RJAA
?ICAO ENI/M085F350
ARIES***  

-------------[13/02/1996 13:18]

ACARS mode: 2  Aircraft reg: .C-FTJQ
Message label: 4P  Block id: H  Msg. no: -//
Flight id: ATC P3
Message content:-
57 YYZOWAC 14FEB/1516 SFOC     C-FTJQ/   /0758            
TIMESTAMP 14FEB96 15:16
*PRE-DEPARTURE CLEARANCE*
34
FLT ACA0758/14 KSFO
T/EA32/R P1545 BQ330
XPRD 3617 EDCT 0745
MAINT FL230 EXP REQ ALT
10 MIN AFT T/O
GND CTL FREQ 121.8 /DPTR CTL SEE SID
DO NOT EXCEED 250 KTS TIL ADVISED
-SFO6 SFO LIN-
KSFO LIN J84 DBQ***CYYZ
@ICAO REG/CFTJQ SEL/FQC***

--------------------------[14/02/1996 07:15]

ACARS mode: 2  Aircraft reg: .N58101      (Continental)
Message label: C1  Block id: I  Msg. no: .MIA
Flight id: XU1S 1
Message content:-
4/1532
AGM
AN N58101/AP SFO
-  CO 0240/14
*** PREDEPARTURE CLEARANCE ***  
COA0240 DEPARTING  SFO  
EQUIP L/B757/G  SKD DEP TIME  P1600
INITIAL FLT LEVEL 330   
     ROUTING
 - ATC CLEARANCE -  
-SF06  SFO SAC J32 BAM-  
SFO SFO6 SFO SAC./.EWR  
@NRP
MAINT FL230 EXP REQ ALT 10 MIN AFT T/O  
GND CTL FREQ 121.8 /DPTR CTL SEE SID
DO NOT EXCEED 250 KTS TIL ADVISED   
TRANSPONDER 3642

ACARS mode: 2  Aircraft reg: .N69602    (Continental)
Message label: C1  Block id: E  Msg. no: .MIA
Flight id: XU1S 1
Message content:-
.MIAXU1S 14/1540
AGM
AN N69602/AP SFO
-  CO 0136/14
*** PREDEPARTURE CLEARANCE ***  
COA0136 DEPARTING  SFO  
EQUIP T/B73J/G  SKD DEP TIME  P1550
INITIAL FLT LEVEL 370   
     ROUTING
 - ATC CLEARANCE -  
AVE SFO PORTE9 WAGES AVE./.IAH  
MAINT FL230 EXP REQ ALT 10 MIN AFT T/O  
GND CTL FREQ 121.8 /DPTR CTL SEE SID
DO NOT EXCEED 250 KTS TIL ADVISED   
TRANSPONDER   3451

Mode: 2  Aircraft reg: .N174UA
Message label: RA  Block id: F  Msg. no: QUAT
Flight id: CCDUA~
Message content:-
1**DPTR CLRNC**
FLT 837-13 SFO - NRT
UAL837 KSFO
H/B74F/R P2140 RQ350
XPDR 1730 EDCT 2200
MAINT 3000 EXP REQ
ALT 3 MIN AFT T/O
GND CTL FREQ 121.8
/DPTR CTL SEE SID
.....
KSFO STINS6 ENI C1486
GUTTS GENCO
GAVEL***RJAA
?ICAO ENI/M085F350
ARIES***  

------------[13/02/1996 13:18]

ACARS mode: 2  Aircraft reg: .N147AA
Message label: 40  Block id: D  Msg. no: FLIG
Flight id: HT 003
Message content:-
FLIGHT 0039/14 SFO -HNL
PDC
AAL39   XPNDR 6301 SFO
H/DC10/R    P1700  330
KSFO GAPP2 SFO BEBOP R464      
BITTA BAMBO CKH PHNL                                      
MAINT 3000 EXP REQ ALT 3 MIN AFT T/O   
GND CTL FREQ 121.8 /DPTR CTL SEE SID   
DO NOT EXCEED 250 KTS TIL ADVISED      
CALL CLNC DEL 10 MIN PRIOR TO ENG START
END                                                               

------------[14/02/1996 09:08]

ACARS mode: 2  Aircraft reg: .N361UA
Message label: RA  Block id: V  Msg. no: QUAT
Flight id: CCDUA~
Message content:-
1**DPTR CLRNC**
FLT 2157-14 OAK - LAX
PDC NOT STORED IN     
UNIMATIC-CONTACT      
CLEARANCE DELIVERY    
BY VOICE TO OBTAIN    
PDC   

ACARS mode: 2  Aircraft reg: .N1844U
Message label: RA  Block id: J  Msg. no: QUAT
Flight id: CCDUA~
Message content:-
1**DPTR CLRNC**
FLT 41-14 SFO - KOA
UAL41 KSFO
H/DC10/R P1715 RQ330
XPDR 3222
MAINT 3000 EXP REQ
ALT 3 MIN AFT T/O
GND CTL FREQ 121.8
/DPTR CTL SEE SID
DO NOT EXCEED 250 KTS
TIL ADVISED
CALL CLNC DEL 10 MIN
PRIOR TO ENG START
-GAPP2 SFO BEBOP-
KSFO BEBOP R464 BAKON
R464 BANDY R464 BITTA
PHKO
 
[04/04/1996 19:12]
ACARS mode: 2  Aircraft reg: .N650TW
Message label: C1  Block id: M  Msg. no: .MKC
Flight id: CCTW 0
Message content:-
50012
AGM
AN .N650TW/GL JFK
-  /- - P D C - - CAPTAINS COPY  05APR96/0012Z
TWA740 H/B767/R KJFK-EDDF 330 P0030       
- - CLEARED AS FILED - -
ACK                                       
KJFK BETTE1 BETTE***EDDF                  
@ICAO WHALE/N0468F370 B***                
BETTE ONE DEPARTURE  ACK TRANSITION       
INITIAL HEADING 155                       
MAINT 5000 EXP REQSTD ALT 10MIN AFT DEP   
DEPARTURE FREQUENCY 135.9
CONTACT GATE-HOLD 125.05
XPNDR 4065                                
 
[04/04/1996 19:28]
ACARS mode: 2  Aircraft reg: .N181DN
Message label: RA  Block id: R  Msg. no: QUAT
Flight id: LDDDL.
Message content:-
6PDC 0106 JFK FRA
***DATE/TIME OF PDC RECEIPT: 05APR 0004Z
**** PREDEPARTURE  CLEARANCE ****       
EXPIRES 2 HRS AFTER SKED DEP TIME       
DAL106  DEPARTING KJFK  TRANSPONDER 4076
SKED DEP TIME 0035   
EQUIP H/B767/R    
FILED FLT LEVEL 330                     
     ROUTING                            
****************************************
 -CLEARED AS FILED-                     
ACK                         
KJFK BETTE1 BETTE******EDDF             
****************************************
BETTE ONE DEPARTURE, ACK TRANSITION     
INITIAL HEADING 155                     
MAINT 5000 EXP REQSTD ALT 10MIN AFT
DEP DEPARTURE FREQUENCY 135.9               
CONTACT GATE-HOLD 125.05                

[04/04/1996 19:05]
ACARS mode: 2  Aircraft reg: .N391AA
Message label: 40  Block id: V  Msg. no: FLIG
Flight id: HT 004
Message content:-
4/04 JFK -ORY
PDC
AAL44   XPNDR 1605 JFK
H/B767/R    P0015  330
YAHOO                          
KJFK HAPIE1 HAPIE***LFPO       
@ICAO RAFIN/M080F350 GU***
HAPIE ONE DEPARTURE, YAHOO TRANSITION  
INIT IAL HEADING 155                    
MAINT 5000 EXP REQSTD ALT 10MIN AFT DEP
DEPARTURE FREQUENCY 135.9              
CONTACT GATE-HOLD 125.05               
ADVISE ON INITIAL CONTACT YOU HAVE ATIS
END

If you have any questions, please contact Nick

All data on this Wiki copyright Mark Avey unless otherwise stated.