The CRAFT Acronym

The CRAFT acronym includes all of the parts of an IFR clearance in the order they are given:

C: Clearance limit, the endpoint of the clearance (usually, but not always, the destination airport)

R: Route, the route that the flight is to follow as part of the clearance (often the route originally filed, although ATC may change this)

A: Altitude, the initial altitude to be maintained by the flight, plus, in many cases, a time at which cruise altitude clearance may be expected

F: Frequency, the frequency to which the pilot(s) should tune upon leaving the departure airport

T: Transponder, the transponder code that must be set in the aircraft prior to departure and during the flight

C: Cleared to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport;

R: CHISM4 Departure, Deschutes (DSD) transition, then as filed.

A: Maintain 4,000.

F: Departure Frequency 126.0

T: Squawk 1603

Every time you give an IFR clearance, always give it in this order!

The example above is exactly what you should say. Don't add in any filler words.

Reference 7110.65 4-3-2: Departure Clearances