Departure Clearance and Procedures

Question 1

How can your IFR clearance be obtained?

Answer 1

1. at airports with an ATC tower in operation, clearance may be received from ground control or clearance delivery when available
2. At airports without a tower or FSS on field or in outlying area
   * Clearances may be received over the radio through a RCO (remote communication outlet) or in some cases over the telephone
   * In some areas, a clearance delivery frequency is available that is usable at different airports within a particular geographic area

If the above methods are not available, your clearance can be obtained from ARTCC once you are airborne provided you remain VFR in class E airspace

Procedure may vary greatly due to geographical features, weather conditions, and the complexity of the ATC system. To determine the most effective means of receiving an IFR clearance, pilots should ask the nearest FSS for the most appropriate means of obtaining their IFR clearance

Question 2

What does cleared as filed mean?

Answer 2

ATC will issue an abbreviated IFR clearance based on the route of flight as filed in the IFR flight plan, provided the filed route can be approved with little or no revision

Question 3

Which clearance items are given in an abbreviated IFR clearance?

Answer 3

C - Clearance limit (destination airport of fix)
R - Route (initial heading)
A - Altitude (initial)
F - Frequency (departure)
T - Transponder (squawk code)

CRAFT

Question 4

What does clearance void time mean?

Answer 4

When operating from an airport without a tower, a pilot may receive a clearance containing a provision that if the flight has not departed by a specific time the clearance is then void.

A pilot who does not depart prior to the clearance void time must advise ATC of their intentions ASAP.

Question 5

What is the purpose of the term “hold and release” when included in an IFR clearance?

Answer 5

ATC may issue these instructions in a clearance to delay an aircraft’s departure for traffic management reasons. A pilot may not depart utilizing that FIR clearance until a release time or additional instructions are received from ATC.

Question 6

What minimums are necessary for IFR takeoff under 14 CFR Part 91?

Answer 6

No minimums required

Question 7

What is considered a good operating practice in determining takeoff minimums for IFR flight?

Answer 7

If an instrument approach procedure has been prescribed for that airport, use the minimums for that approach for takeoff. If no approach procedure is available, basic VFR minimums are recommended (1,000 feet and 3 miles)

Question 8

What are DPs and why are they necessary?

Answer 8

Departure procedures are preplanned IFR procedures that provide obstruction clearance from the terminal area to the appropriate enroute structure. Their primary function is to provide obstacle clearance. They can also reduce congestion at busier airports.

IFH 10-5

Question 9

What are the types of DPs?

Answer 9

ODP (Obstacle Departure Procedure) - Text required, no clearance required
Diverse Departure - must be above 400’ before crosswind
VCOA (Visual Climb Over Airport - Used to gain alt over a small distance or when departing a different direction
Vectors - ATC Controlled
SID (Standard Instrument Departure) - Text and clearance required

IFH 10-5, IPH 1-23, JIC 4-22

Question 10

Define ODP.

Answer 10

Obstacle departure procedure - printed either textually or graphically, provide obstruction clearance via the least onerous route from the terminal area to the appropriate en route structure. ODPs are recommended for obstruction clearance and may be flown without ATC clearance unless an alternate departure procedure has been specifically assigned by ATC.

IFH 10-5

Question 11

Define SID.

Answer 11

Standard Instrument Departures - always printed graphically. They are ATC procedures printed for use in graphic form to provide obstruction clearance and a transition from the terminal area to the appropriate en route structure. SIDs are primarily designed for system enhancement and to reduce pilot workload. ATC clearance must be received prior to flying a SID.

IFH 10-5

Question 12

What criteria are used to provide obstruction clearance during departure?

Answer 12

Required obstacle clearance for all published departures is based on the pilot crossing the departure end of the runway at least 35 feet AGL, climbing to 400 feet above the departure end of runway elevation before making the initial turn, and maintaining a minimum climb gradient of 200 feet per nautical mile, unless required to level off by crossing restriction. A greater climb gradient may be specified in the DP to clear obstacles or to achieve an ATC crossing restriction.

Question 13

Where are DPs located?

Answer 13

They are listed by airport in “IFR Take-Off Minimums and Departure Procedures,” Section C of the Terminal Procedures Publications (TPPs)

Question 14

Must you accept a SID if assigned one?

Answer 14

No.

ATC must be immediately notified if the pilot does not possess the assigned SID or the aircraft is not capable of flying the SID. Can file “NO SID in remarks section of the filed flight plan.

Question 15

How does a pilot determine if takeoff minimums are not standard and or departure procedures are published for an airport?

Answer 15

If an airport has non-standard takeoff minimums a “Triangle T” symbol, that is, a black triangle with a T inside it, will be placed in the notes sections of the instrument procedure chart

Question 16

When a DP specified a climb gradient in excess of 200 feet per nautical mile, what significance should this have to the pilot?

Answer 16

The procedure designer may:

a. Establish a steeper than normal climb gradient or
b. establish a steeper than normal climb gradient with an alternative that increases takeoff minima to allow the pilot to visually remain clear of the obstacle(s) or
c. design and publish a specific departure route
d. a combination of all the above

Question 17

A climb gradient of 300 feet per nautical mile at a ground speed of 100 knots requires what rate of climb?

Answer 17

Ground speed divided by 60 minutes times climb gradient = feet per minute; therefore,

(100/60)x300 = 500 fpm

Question 18

What is the recommended climb rate procedure, when issued a climb to an assigned altitude by ATC?

Answer 18

When ATC has not used the term “at the pilot’s discretion” nor imposed any climb or descent restrictions, pilots should initiate climb and descent promptly on acknowledgement of the clearance. Descend or climb at an optimum rate consistent with the operating characteristics of the aircraft to 1000 feet above or below the assigned altitude, and then attempt to descend or climb at a rate of between 500 and 1500 fpm until the assigned altitude is reached.