Flight Crew Rotorcraft
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 55; Flight Crew Total 9022; Flight Crew Type 207
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Chart Or Publication; Procedure
I was switched from ZHU Center to Kingsville Approach and I requested direct to the IAF CELIV for the COPTER RNAV 22 into the Alice Hospital. Kingsville Approach stated that they could not clear me for the approach; because they did not have the procedures; yet in the past we have had other controllers clear us. This has been an on-going issue with this particular facility. The approaches are certified and have been established for this hospital for some time. A short time later Kingsville came back and told me to maintain altitude until reaching CELIV and established; switch to advisory and report IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) cancellation on the frequency; or call their number when I'm on the ground. In hindsight; I'm not sure if they were finally able to locate their copy of the procedure; and I may have confused their last set of instructions as the clearance. When I contacted Kingsville TRACON by phone to coordinate my departure from the hospital; I was given the designated Obstacle Departure Procedure (ODP) for that particular location; adding further confusion; because there must be a copy of the procedure.
Helicopter pilot reports Air Traffic Control did not have proper procedure.