______ IFR SATURDAY _____

Here is an example of an IFR clearance, for a Cessna aircraft traveling from Palo Alto airport (KPAO) to Stockton airport (KSCK).

"Cessna 21756, cleared to Stockton Airport
via turn right heading zero-six-zero within one mile of the airport.
Radar Vectors San Jose, then as filed.
Maintain 3,000 expect 5,000 five minutes after departure.
Departure frequency is 121.3, squawk 4263."

Detailed explanation:

"Cessna 21756"
Verifies that only this specific aircraft is cleared.

"cleared to Stockton Airport"
Clearance Limit: the farthest destination the aircraft is allowed to go under IFR (in most cases it is the destination airport).

"via turn right heading zero-six-zero within one mile of the airport."
The pilot is expected to execute the right turn to 060° without further ATC prompting within one mile of the departure airport.

"Radar Vectors San Jose"
The departure controller will provide directional guidance to the San Jose VOR.

"Then as filed."
After arriving at the San Jose VOR, the pilot will likely resume navigation without ATC prompts along the airways and intersections that were filed in their flight plan.

"Maintain 3,000 "
After takeoff, climb to an altitude of 3000 feet above sea level.

" expect 5,000 five minutes after departure."
Your final altitude assignment is probably going to be 5000 feet above sea level. However, you must follow actual ATC altitude assignments throughout the flight. This portion of the clearance provides a backup if communications are lost, allowing you to proceed to climb and maintain 5000 feet.

"Departure frequency is 121.3, "
Contact with NORCAL Departure on the specified communication frequency, after Palo Alto Tower tells you to switch.

" squawk 4263."
Program your transponder to 4263 so that ATC can positively identify you on radar.