Responding to an IFR clearance with “roger.”

Way back in May of 2017, just before I flew out to Asheville, NC to pick up the Mooney M20E, I attended an FAA WINGS event, KSMO Controler GINA GARDNER at SMO EAA Chapter 11. During that presentation, I learned we don’t have to read back IFR clearances in their entirety. For many, if not most, clearances, you probably want to do a full readback just to make sure you haven’t missed anything. But for the types of clearances you get constantly and can recite from rote memory (“cleared to <destination> via upon departure fly runway heading, intercept LAX 170 radial to LIMBO, Victor 64 to Seal Beach [SLI], then as filed ...”), simply acknowledging the clearance with a “roger” can save you and the controller some time and helps clear a busy frequency quicker.

I tracked down the authority; it’s set forth in section 2-4-3 of FAA Order JO 7110.65W, which requires only that air traffic controllers “[e]nsure pilots acknowledge all Air Traffic Clearances and ATC Instructions” (emphasis added) and, citing the AIM (presumably
section 4-2-3(c)), notes: “[P]ilots may acknowledge clearances, control instructions, or other information by using ‘Wilco,’ ‘Roger,’ ‘Affirmative,’ or other words or remarks with their aircraft identification.”

When airborne, AIM 4-4-7(b) recommends that you “should” read back “altitude assignments, vectors, or runway assignments as a means of mutual verification,” but doesn’t require it. (Still, a good idea.)