Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)

AIM

4/3/14

5−2−5

Departure Procedures

4. Expect Departure Clearance Time

(EDCT).

The EDCT is the runway release time

assigned to an aircraft included in traffic management

programs. Aircraft are expected to depart no earlier

than 5 minutes before, and no later than 5 minutes af-

ter the EDCT.

If practical, pilots departing uncontrolled air-

ports should obtain IFR clearances prior to becoming

airborne when two-way communications with the

controlling ATC facility is available.

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7. Departure Control

Departure Control is an approach control func-

tion responsible for ensuring separation between

departures. So as to expedite the handling of depar-

tures, Departure Control may suggest a takeoff

direction other than that which may normally have

been used under VFR handling. Many times it is pre-

ferred to offer the pilot a runway that will require the

fewest turns after takeoff to place the pilot on course

or selected departure route as quickly as possible. At

many locations particular attention is paid to the use

of preferential runways for local noise abatement pro-

grams, and route departures away from congested

areas.

Departure Control utilizing radar will normally

clear aircraft out of the terminal area using DPs via ra-

dio navigation aids.

When a departure is to be vectored immedi-

ately following takeoff, the pilot will be advised prior

to takeoff of the initial heading to be flown but may

not be advised of the purpose of the heading.

At some airports when a departure will fly an

RNAV SID that begins at the runway, ATC may ad-

vise aircraft of the initial fix/waypoint on the RNAV

route. The purpose of the advisory is to remind pilots

to verify the correct procedure is programmed in the

FMS before takeoff. Pilots must immediately advise

ATC if a different RNAV SID is entered in the air-

craft’s FMC. When this advisory is absent, pilots are

still required to fly the assigned SID as published.

EXAMPLE

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Delta 345 RNAV to MPASS, Runway26L, cleared for
takeoff.

NOTE

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1. The SID transition is not restated as it is contained in the
ATC clearance.

2. Aircraft cleared via RNAV SIDs designed to begin with
a vector to the initial waypoint are assigned a heading be-
fore departure.

Pilots operating in a radar environment are

expected to associate departure headings or an RNAV

departure advisory with vectors or the flight path to

their planned route or flight. When given a vector tak-

ing the aircraft off a previously assigned nonradar

route, the pilot will be advised briefly what the vector

is to achieve. Thereafter, radar service will be pro-

vided until the aircraft has been reestablished

“on-course” using an appropriate navigation aid and

the pilot has been advised of the aircraft’s position or

a handoff is made to another radar controller with fur-

ther surveillance capabilities.

Controllers will inform pilots of the departure

control frequencies and, if appropriate, the transpon-

der code before takeoff. Pilots must ensure their

transponder is adjusted to the “on” or normal operat-

ing position as soon as practical and remain on during

all operations unless otherwise requested to change to

“standby” by ATC. Pilots should not change to the de-

parture control frequency until requested. Controllers

may omit the departure control frequency if a DP has

or will be assigned and the departure control fre-

quency is published on the DP.

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8. Instrument Departure Procedures

(DP)

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Obstacle Departure Procedures

(ODP) and Standard Instrument Departures
(SID)

Instrument departure procedures are preplanned in-

strument flight rule (IFR) procedures which provide

obstruction clearance from the terminal area to the

appropriate en route structure. There are two types of

DPs, Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODPs), printed

either textually or graphically, and Standard Instru-

ment Departures (SIDs), always printed graphically.

All DPs, either textual or graphic may be designed us-

ing either conventional or RNAV criteria. RNAV

procedures will have RNAV printed in the title,

e.g., SHEAD TWO DEPARTURE (RNAV). ODPs

provide obstruction clearance via the least onerous

route from the terminal area to the appropriate en

route structure. ODPs are recommended for obstruc-

tion clearance and may be flown without ATC

clearance unless an alternate departure procedure

(SID or radar vector) has been specifically assigned

by ATC. Graphic ODPs will have (OBSTACLE)

printed in the procedure title, e.g., GEYSR THREE