KVKS departures must be issued a complete clearance including what times?

• A. Clearance void times
• B. Altitude only
• C. Estimated departure time only
• D. No void times

Answer: (A)

When issuing an IFR departure clearance, you must include a clearance void time. This deadline tells the pilot and ATC that the clearance expires if the aircraft hasn’t taken off by that moment. It keeps the airspace and sequencing safe and prevents a lingering, potentially outdated clearance from affecting later air traffic. The other options don’t provide this time-based safety net: altitude alone doesn’t indicate when the clearance ends, an estimated departure time doesn’t guarantee a fixed expiration, and having no void time would leave the clearance valid indefinitely, which can lead to conflicts or delays. Including the clearance void time ensures timely action and clear expectations for both pilot and controller.