AIM

4/3/14

5−2−10

Departure Procedures

2. ATC anticipates pilots will begin adjusting speed the
minimum distance necessary prior to a published speed re-
striction so as to cross the waypoint/fix at the published
speed. Once at the published speed ATC expects pilots will
maintain the published speed until additional adjustment
is required to comply with further published or ATC as-
signed speed restrictions or as required to ensure
compliance with 14 CFR Section 91.117.

3. If ATC interrupts lateral/vertical navigation while an
aircraft is flying a SID, ATC must ensure obstacle clear-
ance. When issuing a “climb via” clearance to join or
resume a procedure ATC must ensure obstacle clearance
until the aircraft is established on the lateral and vertical
path of the SID.

4. ATC will assign an altitude to cross if no altitude is de-
picted at a waypoint/fix or when otherwise necessary/
required, for an aircraft on a direct route to a waypoint/fix
where the SID will be joined or resumed.

5. SIDs will have a “top altitude;” the “top altitude” is the
charted “maintain” altitude contained in the procedure
description or assigned by ATC.

REFERENCE

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FAAJO 7110.65, Para 5-6-2, Methods
PCG, Climb Via, Top Altitude

EXAMPLE

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1. Lateral route clearance:

“Cleared Loop Six departure.”

NOTE

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The aircraft must comply with the SID lateral path, and any
published speed restrictions.

2. Routing with assigned altitude:

“Cleared Loop Six departure, climb and maintain

four thousand.”

NOTE

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The aircraft must comply with the SID lateral path, and any
published speed restriction while climbing unrestricted to
four thousand.

3. (A pilot filed a flight plan to the Johnston Airport using
the Scott One departure, Jonez transition, then Q-145. The
pilot filed for FL350. The Scott One includes altitude
restrictions, a top altitude and instructions to expect the
filed altitude ten minutes after departure). Before
departure ATC uses PDC, DCL or clearance delivery to
issue the clearance:

“Cleared to Johnston Airport, Scott One departure,

Jonez transition, Q-OneForty-five. Climb via SID.”

NOTE

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In Example 3, the aircraft must comply with the Scott One
departure lateral path and any published speed and alti-
tude restrictions while climbing to the SID top altitude.

4. (Using the Example 3 flight plan, ATC determines the
top altitude must be changed to FL180). The clearance will
read: 

“Cleared to Johnston Airport, Scott One departure,

Jonez transition, Q-One Forty-five, Climb via SID except
maintain flight level one eight zero.”

NOTE

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In Example 4, the aircraft must comply with the Scott One
departure lateral path and any published speed and alti-
tude restrictions while climbing to FL180. The aircraft
must stop climb at FL180 until issued further clearance by
ATC.

5. (An aircraft was issued the Suzan Two departure,
“climb via SID” in the IFR departure clearance. After
departure ATC must change a waypoint crossing
restriction). The clearance will be:

“Climb via SID except cross Mkala at or above seven

thousand.”

NOTE

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In Example 5, the aircraft will comply with the Suzan Two
departure lateral path and any published speed and alti-
tude restrictions and climb so as to cross Mkala at or above
7,000; remainder of the departure must be flown as pub-
lished.

6. (An aircraft was issued the Teddd One departure,
“climb via SID” in the IFR departure clearance. An
interim altitude of 10,000 was issued instead of the
published top altitude of FL 230). After departure ATC is
able to issue the published top altitude. The clearance will
be:

“Climb via SID.”

NOTE

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In Example 6, the aircraft will track laterally and vertically
on the Teddd One departure and initially climb to 10,000;
Once re-issued the “climb via” clearance the interim alti-
tude is canceled aircraft will continue climb to FL230
while complying with published restrictions.

7. (An aircraft was issued the Bbear Two departure,
“climb via SID” in the IFR departure clearance. An
interim altitude of 16,000 was issued instead of the
published top altitude of FL 190). After departure, ATC is
able to issue a top altitude of FL300 and still requires
compliance with the published SID restrictions. The
clearance will be: 

“Climb via SID except maintain flight level three zero

zero.”

NOTE

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In Example 7, the aircraft will track laterally and vertically
on the Bbear Two departure and initially climb to 16,000;
Once re-issued the “climb via” clearance the interim alti-
tude is canceled and the aircraft will continue climb to
FL300 while complying with published restrictions.