Section 3. Departure Procedures
4-3-1. DEPARTURE TERMINOLOGY
Avoid using the term "takeoff" except to actually
clear an aircraft for takeoff or to cancel a takeoff
clearance. Use such terms as "depart," "departure," or
"fly" in clearances when necessary.
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 3-9-9, Takeoff Clearance.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 3-9-10, Cancellation of Takeoff
Clearance.
4-3-2. DEPARTURE CLEARANCES
Include the following items in IFR departure
clearances:
NOTE-
When considered necessary, controllers or pilots may
initiate read backs of a clearance. Some pilots may be
required by company rule to do so.
a. Always include the airport of departure when
issuing a departure clearance for relay to an aircraft
by an FSS, dispatcher, etc.
b. Clearance Limit. 32;
32;
1. Specify the destination airport when practicable, even though it is outside controlled airspace.
Issue short range clearances as provided for in any
procedures established for their use.
2. For Air Force One (AF1) operations, do not
specify the destination airport.
NOTE-
Presidential detail is responsible for ensuring the accuracy
of the destination airport.
PHRASEOLOGY-
DESTINATION AS FILED.
c. Departure Procedures.
1. Specify direction of takeoff/turn or initial
heading/azimuth to be flown after takeoff as follows:
(a) Locations with Airport Traffic Control
Service- Specify these items as necessary.
(b) Locations without Airport Traffic Control
Service, but within a Class E surface area- specify
these items if necessary. Obtain/solicit the pilot's
concurrence concerning these items before issuing
them in a clearance.
NOTE-
Direction of takeoff and turn after takeoff can be
obtained/solicited directly from the pilot, or relayed by an
FSS, dispatcher, etc., as obtained/solicited from the pilot.
(c) At all other airports- Do not specify
direction of takeoff/turn after takeoff. If necessary to
specify an initial heading/azimuth to be flown after
takeoff, issue the initial heading/azimuth so as to
apply only within controlled airspace.
2. Where only textually described instrument
departure procedures (ODP) have been published for
a location and pilot compliance is necessary to insure
separation, include the procedure as part of the ATC
clearance.
EXAMPLE-
"Depart via the (airport name) (runway number)
departure procedure."
NOTE-
IFR takeoff minimums and departure procedures are
prescribed for specific airports/runways and published in
a tabular form supplement to the FAA instrument approach
procedure chart and appropriate FAA Form 8260. These
procedures are identified on instrument approach
procedure charts with a symbol:
3. Compatibility with a procedure issued may
be verified by asking the pilot if items obtained/solicited will allow him/her to comply with local
traffic pattern, terrain, or obstruction avoidance.
PHRASEOLOGY-
FLY RUNWAY HEADING.
DEPART (direction or runway).
TURN LEFT/RIGHT.
WHEN ENTERING CONTROLLED AIRSPACE
(instruction), FLY HEADING (degrees) UNTIL
REACHING (altitude, point, or fix) BEFORE
PROCEEDING ON COURSE.
FLY A (degree) BEARING/AZIMUTH FROM/TO (fix)
UNTIL (time),
or
UNTIL REACHING (fix or altitude),
and if required,
BEFORE PROCEEDING ON COURSE.
EXAMPLE-
"Verify right turn after departure will allow compliance
with local traffic pattern,"or "Verify this clearance will
allow compliance with terrain or obstruction avoidance."
NOTE-
If a published IFR departure procedure is not included in
an ATC clearance, compliance with such a procedure is the
pilot's prerogative.
4. SIDs:
(a) Assign a SID (including transition if
necessary). Assign a PDR or the route filed by the
pilot, only when a SID is not established for the
departure route to be flown, or the pilot has indicated
that he/she does not wish to use a SID.
PHRASEOLOGY-
(SID name and number) DEPARTURE.
(SID name and number) DEPARTURE,
(transition name) TRANSITION.
EXAMPLE-
"Stroudsburg One Departure."
"Stroudsburg One Departure, Sparta Transition."
"Stroudsburg One RNAV Departure."
NOTE-
If a pilot does not wish to use a SID issued in an ATC
clearance, or any other SID published for that location,
he/she is expected to advise ATC.
(b) If it is necessary to assign a crossing
altitude which differs from the SID altitude, repeat
the changed altitude to the pilot for emphasis.
PHRASEOLOGY-
(SID name) DEPARTURE, EXCEPT (revised altitude
information). I SAY AGAIN (revised altitude information).
EXAMPLE-
"Stroudsburg One Departure, except cross Quaker at
five thousand. I say again, cross Quaker at five thousand."
"Astoria Two RNAV Departure, except cross Astor
waypoint at six thousand. I say again, cross Astor waypoint
at six thousand."
(c) Specify altitudes when they are not
included in the SID.
PHRASEOLOGY-
(SID name) DEPARTURE. CROSS (fix) AT (altitude).
EXAMPLE-
"Stroudsburg One Departure. Cross Jersey intersection at
four thousand. Cross Range intersection at six thousand."
"Engle Two RNAV departure. Cross Pilim waypoint at or
above five thousand. Cross Engle waypoint at or above
seven thousand. Cross Gorge waypoint at niner thousand."
d. Route of flight. Specify one or more of the
following:
1. Airway, route, course, heading, azimuth, arc,
or vector.
2. The routing a pilot can expect if any part of
the route beyond a short range clearance limit differs
from that filed.
PHRASEOLOGY-
EXPECT FURTHER CLEARANCE VIA (airways, routes,
or fixes.)
e. Altitude. Use one of the following in the order
of preference listed:
NOTE-
Turbojet aircraft equipped with afterburner engines may
occasionally be expected to use afterburning during their
climb to the en route altitude. When so advised by the pilot,
the controller may be able to plan his/her traffic to
accommodate the high performance climb and allow the
pilot to climb to his/her planned altitude without
restriction.
1. To the maximum extent possible, Air Force
One will be cleared unrestricted climb to:
(a) 9,000' AGL or higher.
(b) If unable 9,000' AGL or higher, then the
highest available altitude below 9,000' AGL.
2. Assign the altitude requested by the pilot.
3. Assign an altitude, as near as possible to the
altitude requested by the pilot, and
(a) Inform the pilot when to expect clearance
to the requested altitude unless instructions are
contained in the specified SID, or
(b) If the requested altitude is not expected to
be available, inform the pilot what altitude can be
expected and when/where to expect it.
NOTE-
1. 14 CFR Section 91.185, says that in the event of a
two-way radio communication failure, in VFR conditions
or if VFR conditions are encountered after the failure, the
pilot shall continue the flight under VFR and land as soon
as practicable. That section also says that when the failure
occurs in IFR conditions the pilot shall continue flight at
the highest of the following altitudes or flight levels for the
route segment being flown:
a. The altitude or flight level assigned in the last ATC
clearance received.
b. The minimum altitude (converted, if appropriate, to
minimum flight level as prescribed in 14 CFR Section 91.121(c)) for IFR operations. (This altitude should be
consistent with MEAs, MOCAs, etc.)
c. The altitude or flight level ATC has advised may be
expected in a further clearance.
2. If the expected altitude is the highest of the preceding
choices, the pilot should begin to climb to that expected
altitude at the time or fix specified in the clearance. The
choice to climb to the expected altitude is not applicable if
the pilot has proceeded beyond the specified fix or if the
time designated in the clearance has expired.
PHRASEOLOGY-
CLIMB AND MAINTAIN (the altitude as near as possible
to the pilot's requested altitude). EXPECT (the requested
altitude or an altitude different from the requested altitude)
AT (time or fix),
and if applicable,
(pilot's requested altitude) IS NOT AVAILABLE.
EXAMPLE-
1. A pilot has requested flight level 350. Flight level 230
is immediately available and flight level 350 will be
available at the Appleton zero five zero radial 35 mile fix.
The clearance will read:
"Climb and maintain flight level two three zero. Expect
flight level three five zero at Appleton zero five zero radial
three five mile fix."
2. A pilot has requested 9,000 feet. An altitude restriction
is required because of facility procedures or requirements.
Assign the altitude and advise the pilot at what fix/time the
pilot may expect the requested altitude. The clearance
could read:
"Climb and maintain five thousand. Expect niner
thousand one zero minutes after departure."
3. A pilot has requested 17,000 feet which is unavailable.
You plan 15,000 feet to be the pilot's highest altitude prior
to descent to the pilot's destination but only 13,000 feet is
available until San Jose VOR. Advise the pilot of the
expected altitude change and at what fix/time to expect
clearance to 15,000 feet. The clearance will read: "Climb
and maintain one three thousand. Expect one five thousand
at San Jose. One seven thousand is not available."
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 4-3-3, Abbreviated Departure Clearance.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 5-8-2, Initial Heading.
4-3-3. ABBREVIATED DEPARTURE
CLEARANCE
a. Issue an abbreviated departure clearance if its
use reduces verbiage and the following conditions are
met:
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 4-2-8, IFR-VFR and VFR-IFR
Flights.
1. The route of flight filed with ATC has not
been changed by the pilot, company, operations
officer, input operator, or in the stored flight plan
program prior to departure.
NOTE-
A pilot will not accept an abbreviated clearance if the route
of flight filed with ATC has been changed by him/her or the
company or the operations officer before departure.
He/she is expected to inform the control facility on initial
radio contact if he/she cannot accept the clearance. It is the
responsibility of the company or operations officer to
inform the pilot when they make a change.
2. All ATC facilities concerned have sufficient
route of flight information to exercise their control
responsibilities.
NOTE-
The route of flight information to be provided may be
covered in letters of agreement.
3. When the flight will depart IFR, destination
airport information is relayed between the facilities
concerned prior to departure.
EXAMPLE-
1. A tower or flight service station relay of destination
airport information to the center when requesting
clearance:
"Request clearance for United Four Sixty-One to
O'Hare."
2. A center relay to the tower or flight service station when
initiating a clearance:
"Clearance for United Four Sixty-One to O'Hare."
NOTE-
Pilots are expected to furnish the facility concerned with
destination airport information on initial radio call-up.
This will provide the information necessary for detecting
any destination airport differences on facility relay.
4. The assigned altitude, according to the
provisions in para 4-3-2, Departure Clearances,
subpara e, is stated in the clearance.
b. If it is necessary to modify a filed route of flight
in order to achieve computer acceptance due, for
example, to incorrect fix or airway identification, the
contraction "FRC," meaning "Full Route Clearance
Necessary," or "FRC/(fix)," will be added to the
remarks. "FRC" or "FRC/(fix)" must always be the
first item of intra-center remarks. When "FRC" or
"FRC/(fix)" appears on a flight progress strip, the
controller issuing the ATC clearance to the aircraft
shall issue a full route clearance to the specified fix,
or, if no fix is specified, for the entire route.
EXAMPLE-
"Cleared to Missoula International Airport, Chief Two
Departure to Angley; direct Salina; then as filed; maintain
one seven thousand."
NOTE-
Changes, such as those made to conform with traffic flows
and preferred routings, are only permitted to be made by
the pilot (or his/her operations office) or the controller
responsible for initiating the clearance to the aircraft.
c. Specify the destination airport in the clearance.
d. When no changes are required in the filed route,
state the phrase: "Cleared to (destination) airport,
(SID and SID transition, as appropriate); then, as
filed." If a SID is not assigned, follow with "As filed."
Specify the assigned altitude; and, if required, add
any additional instructions or information, including
final requested altitude if different than assigned
except if Pre-Departure Clearance (PDC) is utilized.
PHRASEOLOGY-
CLEARED TO (destination) AIRPORT;
and as appropriate,
(SID name and number) DEPARTURE,
THEN AS FILED.
MAINTAIN (altitude); (additional instructions or
information).
If a SID is not assigned,
CLEARED TO (destination) AIRPORT AS FILED.
MAINTAIN (altitude);
and if required,
(additional instructions or information).
EXAMPLE-
"Cleared to Reynolds Airport; David Two RNAV
Departure, Kingham Transition; then, as filed. Maintain
niner thousand. Expect flight level four one zero, one zero
minutes after departure."
"Cleared to Reynolds Airport as filed. Maintain niner
thousand. Expect flight level four one zero, one zero
minutes after departure."
NOTE-
1. SIDs are excluded from "cleared as filed" procedures.
2. If a pilot does not wish to accept an ATC clearance to
fly a SID, he/she is expected to advise ATC or state
"NO SID" in his/her flight plan remarks.
e. When a filed route will require revisions, the
controller responsible for initiating the clearance to
the aircraft shall either:
1. Issue a FRC/FRC until a fix; or
2. If it reduces verbiage, state the phrase:
"Cleared to (destination) airport, (SID and SID
transition, as appropriate), then as filed, except . . .."
Specify the necessary revision, then the assigned
altitude; and if required, add any additional
instructions or information. If a SID is not assigned,
state: "Cleared to (destination) airport as filed,
except . . .." Specify the necessary revision, the
assigned altitude; and if required, add any additional
instructions or information.
PHRASEOLOGY-
CLEARED TO (destination) AIRPORT;
and as appropriate,
(SID name and number) DEPARTURE,
(transition name) TRANSITION; THEN,
AS FILED, EXCEPT CHANGE ROUTE TO READ
(amended route portion).
MAINTAIN (altitude);
and if required,
(additional instructions or information).
If a SID is not assigned,
CLEARED TO (destination) AIRPORT AS FILED,
EXCEPT CHANGE ROUTE TO READ (amended route
portion).
MAINTAIN (altitude);
and if required,
(additional instructions or information).
EXAMPLE-
"Cleared to Reynolds Airport; South Boston One
Departure; then, as filed, except change route to read
South Boston Victor Twenty Greensboro. Maintain
eight thousand, report leaving four thousand."
"Cleared to Reynolds Airport as filed, except change route
to read South Boston Victor Twenty Greensboro. Maintain
eight thousand, report leaving four thousand."
"Cleared to Reynolds Airport via Victor Ninety-one
Albany, then as filed. Maintain six thousand."
f. In a nonradar environment specify one, two, or
more fixes, as necessary, to identify the initial route
of flight.
EXAMPLE-
The filed route of flight is from Hutchins V10 Emporia,
thence V10N and V77 to St. Joseph. The clearance will
read:
"Cleared to Watson Airport as filed via Emporia, maintain
Seven Thousand."
g. Do not apply these procedures when a pilot
requests a detailed clearance or to military operations
conducted within ALTRV, stereo routes, operations
above FL 600, and other military operations requiring
special handling.
NOTE-
Departure clearance procedures and phraseology for
military operations within approved altitude reservations,
military operations above FL 600, and other military
operations requiring special handling are contained in
separate procedures in this order or in a LOA, as
appropriate.
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 4-2-7, ALTRV Clearance.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 9-2-13, Military Operations Above
FL 600.
4-3-4. DEPARTURE RESTRICTIONS,
CLEARANCE VOID TIMES, HOLD FOR
RELEASE, AND RELEASE TIMES
Assign departure restrictions, clearance void times,
hold for release, or release times when necessary to
separate departures from other traffic or to restrict or
regulate the departure flow.
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 10-3-1, Overdue Aircraft.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 10-4-1, Traffic Restrictions.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 10-4-3, Traffic Resumption.
a. Clearance Void Times.
1. When issuing clearance void times at airports
not served by control towers, provide alternative
instructions requiring the pilots to advise ATC of their
intentions no later than 30 minutes after the clearance
void time if not airborne.
2. The facility delivering a clearance void time
to a pilot shall issue a time check.
PHRASEOLOGY-
CLEARANCE VOID IF NOT OFF BY (clearance void
time),
and if required,
IF NOT OFF BY (clearance void time), ADVISE (facility)
NOT LATER THAN (time) OF INTENTIONS.
TIME (time in hours, minutes, and the nearest quarter
minute).
b. Hold For Release (HFR).
1. "Hold for release" instructions shall be used
when necessary to inform a pilot or a controller that
a departure clearance is not valid until additional
instructions are received.
REFERENCE-
P/CG Term- Hold for Release.
2. When issuing hold for release instructions,
include departure delay information.
PHRASEOLOGY-
(Aircraft identification) CLEARED TO (destination)
AIRPORT AS FILED, MAINTAIN (altitude),
and if required,
(additional instructions or information).
HOLD FOR RELEASE, EXPECT (time in hours and/or
minutes) DEPARTURE DELAY.
3. When conditions allow, release the aircraft as
soon as possible.
PHRASEOLOGY-
To another controller,
(aircraft identification) RELEASED.
To a flight service specialist,
ADVISE (aircraft identification) RELEASED FOR
DEPARTURE.
To a pilot at an airport not served by a control tower,
(aircraft identification) RELEASED FOR DEPARTURE.
c. Release Times.
1. Release times shall be issued to pilots when
necessary to specify the earliest time an aircraft may
depart.
NOTE-
A release time is a departure restriction issued to a pilot
(either directly or through authorized relay) to separate a
departing aircraft from other traffic.
2. The facility issuing a release time to a pilot
shall include a time check.
PHRASEOLOGY-
(Aircraft identification) RELEASED FOR DEPARTURE
AT (time in hours and/or minutes),
and if required,
IF NOT OFF BY (time), ADVISE (facility) NOT LATER
THAN (time) OF INTENTIONS.
TIME (time in hours, minutes, and nearest quarter minute).
d. When expect departure clearance times
(EDCT) are assigned through traffic management
programs, the departure terminal must, to the extent
possible, plan ground movement of aircraft destined
to the affected airport(s) so that flights are sequenced
to depart no earlier than 5 minutes before, and no later
than 5 minutes after the EDCT. Do not release aircraft
on their assigned EDCT if a ground stop (GS)
applicable to that aircraft is in effect, unless approval
has been received from the originator of the GS.
1. If an aircraft has begun to taxi or requests taxi
in a manner consistent with meeting the EDCT, the
aircraft shall be released. Additional coordination is
not required.
2. If an aircraft requests taxi or clearance for
departure inconsistent with meeting the EDCT
window, ask the pilot to verify the EDCT.
(a) If the pilot's EDCT is the same as the FAA
EDCT, the aircraft is released consistent with the
EDCT.
(b) If the pilot's EDCT is not the same as the
FAA EDCT, refer to Trust and Verify Note below.
3. If an aircraft requests taxi too late to meet the
EDCT, contact the ATCSCC through the appropriate
TMU.
NOTE-
(Trust & Verify) EDCTs are revised by Air Carriers and
Traffic Management for changing conditions en route or at
affected airport(s). Terminal controllers' use of aircraft
reported EDCT for departure sequencing should be
verified with the appropriate TMU prior to departure if this
can be accomplished without the aircraft incurring delay
beyond the EDCT reported by the aircraft. The preferred
method for verification is the Flight Schedule Monitor
(FSM). If the EDCT cannot be verified without incurring
additional delay, the aircraft should be released based on
the pilot reported EDCT. The aircraft operator is
responsible for operating in a manner consistent to meet
the EDCT.
4-3-5. GROUND STOP
Do not release an aircraft if a ground stop (GS)
applicable to that aircraft is in effect, without the
approval of the originator of the GS.
4-3-6. DELAY SEQUENCING
When aircraft elect to take delay on the ground before
departure, issue departure clearances to them in the
order in which the requests for clearance were
originally made if practicable.
4-3-7. FORWARD DEPARTURE DELAY
INFORMATION
Inform approach control facilities and/or towers of
anticipated departure delays.
4-3-8. COORDINATION WITH RECEIVING
FACILITY
a. Coordinate with the receiving facility before the
departure of an aircraft if the departure point is less
than 15 minutes flying time from the transferring
facility's boundary unless an automatic transfer of
data between automated systems will occur, in which
case, the flying time requirement may be reduced to
5 minutes or replaced with a mileage from the
boundary parameter when mutually agreeable to both
facilities.
NOTE-
Agreements requiring additional time are encouraged
between facilities that need earlier coordination. However,
when agreements establish mandatory radar handoff
procedures, coordination needs only be effected in a timely
manner prior to transfer of control.
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Chapter 5, Section
4, Transfer of Radar Identification, Para 5-4-1,
Application.
b. The actual departure time or a subsequent strip
posting time shall be forwarded to the receiving
facility unless assumed departure times are agreed
upon and that time is within 3 minutes of the actual
departure time.
4-3-9. VFR RELEASE OF IFR DEPARTURE
When an aircraft which has filed an IFR flight plan
requests a VFR departure through a terminal facility,
FSS, or air/ground communications station:
a. After obtaining, if necessary, approval from the
facility/sector responsible for issuing the IFR
clearance, you may authorize an IFR flight planned
aircraft to depart VFR. Inform the pilot of the proper
frequency and, if appropriate, where or when to
contact the facility responsible for issuing the
clearance.
PHRASEOLOGY-
VFR DEPARTURE AUTHORIZED. CONTACT (facility)
ON (frequency) AT (location or time if required) FOR
CLEARANCE.
b. If the facility/sector responsible for issuing the
clearance is unable to issue a clearance, inform the
pilot, and suggest that the delay be taken on the
ground. If the pilot insists upon taking off VFR and
obtaining an IFR clearance in the air, inform the
facility/sector holding the flight plan of the pilot's
intentions and, if possible, the VFR departure time.
4-3-10. FORWARDING DEPARTURE TIMES
TERMINAL
Unless alternate procedures are prescribed in a letter
of agreement or automatic departure messages are
being transmitted between automated facilities,
forward departure times to the facility from which
you received the clearance and also to the terminal
departure controller when that position is involved in
the departure sequence.
NOTE-
1. Letters of agreement prescribing assumed departure
times or mandatory radar handoff procedures are
alternatives for providing equivalent procedures.
2. The letters "DM" flashing in the data block signify
unsuccessful transmission of a departure message.
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7210.3, Para 11-2-6, Automatic Acquisition/Termination
Areas.
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