If you deviate from your Air Traffic Control clearance as PIC, what is your obligation?

When you deviate from your Air Traffic Control clearance as Pilot in Command (PIC), your obligation is to ensure that appropriate communication and documentation are maintained. It is essential to notify Air Traffic Control immediately about the deviation. This allows ATC to manage the airspace accordingly and provide any necessary assistance or traffic advisories.

Additionally, a verbal report to a supervisor within a specified timeframe—typically 24 hours—is crucial for safety oversight and accountability within the aviation organization. This step ensures that the incident is reviewed and analyzed to mitigate any potential risks in the future.

Maintaining a written record of the incident is also a necessary part of the protocol. This documentation serves multiple purposes, from providing a factual account of what occurred for regulatory purposes to serving as a learning tool for future operational improvements.

By combining these responsibilities—notification of ATC, communication with a supervisor, and keeping a detailed record—you fulfill your obligation comprehensively after such an incident.