Chapter 6
Departure

Flight Plan Requirements

Prior to operating an aircraft in controlled airspace under IFR, the PIC must have filed an IFR flight plan and received an appropriate ATC clearance. Become familiar with the FAA International Flight Plan form, used for both domestic and international operations under VFR or IFR (see Figure 6-1). Review AIM paragraph 5-1-9 to understand how to complete the flight plan in preparation for future FAA Knowledge Exam testing on this subject.

The most current en route and destination flight information for planning an instrument flight should be obtained from an FSS.

IFR flight plans should be filed with the FSS at least 30 minutes prior to the estimated time of departure in order to preclude any delay in receiving a clearance from ATC when ready to depart. If a pilot wishes to file an IFR flight plan while airborne, the pilot should contact the nearest FSS, submit the request, and remain VFR until a clearance is received.

Once a pilot elects to proceed to a selected alternate airport, that airport becomes the destination. The landing minimums for the new destination are the minimums that are published for the procedure to be flown.

Figure 6-1. FAA International Flight Plan Form 7233-4

Clearance Requirements

If a PIC deviates from any ATC clearance or instruction, that pilot must notify ATC of the deviation as soon as possible.

If operating VFR, and compliance with an ATC clearance would cause a violation of a regulation, pilots should advise ATC and obtain a revised clearance.

ATC Clearance/Separations

All IFR clearances follow this same basic format:

1. Clearance limit.

2. Departure procedure (as appropriate).

3. Route of flight.

4. Initial altitude to be flown.

5. Additional instructions as necessary.

If the route of flight filed in the flight plan can be approved with little or no revision, ATC will issue an abbreviated clearance. The abbreviated clearance will always contain the instrument departure procedure (DP) name, number, and transition (if appropriate) after the phrase “cleared to (destination) airport” and then the words “as filed.”

There is no requirement for a pilot to read back an ATC clearance unless requested to do so. However, pilots of airborne aircraft should read back without request those parts of clearances containing altitude assignments or vectors.

The ATC IFR clearance may be received in many different ways, depending upon the point of departure. At locations not served by a control tower, the clearance may contain a void time. If the flight does not depart prior to the void time, ATC must be notified of the pilot’s intentions as soon as possible, but no later than 30 minutes.

ATC may use the term “Cruise” to authorize flight at any altitude from the minimum IFR altitude up to and including the altitude specified. However, once the pilot starts descent, and verbally reports leaving an altitude in the block, he/she may not return to that altitude without additional ATC clearance. Climb, descent, and level-off within the block is at the pilot’s discretion.

Departure Procedures (DPs)

To simplify ATC clearance delivery, coded ATC departure procedures, called departure procedures (DPs), have been established at certain airports. Pilots may be issued a DP whenever ATC deems it appropriate. If the PIC does not wish to use a DP, the pilot is expected to so advise ATC. If the pilot does elect to use a DP, he/she must possess at least the textual description. Figure 6-2 shows a DP for Detroit, Michigan.

On some DPs a climb gradient may be specified. The pilot can convert the “climb gradient per nautical mile” to “rate of climb in feet per minute” by using the rate of climb table in FAA Legend 16.

When ready for departure, the pilot will receive takeoff clearance from the tower. He/she should remain on the tower frequency until directed to contact departure control.

Figure 6-2. Departure Procedure, Detroit, Michigan

Services Available to Pilots

At some locations within airspace defined as Terminal Radar Service Areas, ATC provides separation between all IFR aircraft and all participating VFR aircraft. Pilot participation is urged, but is not mandatory.

Controllers will issue traffic information with reference to a 12-hour clock. The traffic advisories are based on the radar position, and does not take into consideration any heading correction to account for a wind.

“Resume own navigation” means the pilot is to resume his/her own navigational responsibility. It is issued after a radar vector or when radar contact is lost.

“Radar contact” means ATC has identified the aircraft on the radar display and radar flight following will be provided until radar identification is terminated.

Pilot/Controller Roles and Responsibilities

The PIC is responsible to see and avoid other traffic whenever meteorological conditions permit, regardless of the type of flight plan to be flown.

The PIC is responsible for complying with speed adjustments within ±10 knots or .02 Mach number of the specified speed.

ATC cannot issue a VFR clearance to a pilot on an IFR flight plan, unless that pilot requests it or to comply with noise abatement routes or altitudes.

Airport Lighting, Signs, and Marking Aids

The Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) is a system of lights arranged to provide visual descent guidance information during the approach to a runway. These lights are visible from 3–5 miles during the day and up to 20 miles or more at night. The visual glide path of the VASI provides safe obstruction clearance within ±10 degrees of the extended runway centerline and to 4 NM from the runway threshold. Descent, using the VASI, should not be initiated until the aircraft is visually aligned with the runway. Lateral course guidance is provided by the runway or runway lights. See Figure 6-3.

The Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) uses light units similar to the VASI, but they are installed in a single row of either two- or four-light units. These systems have an effective visual range of about 5 miles during the day and up to 20 miles at night. The row of light units is usually installed on the left side of the runway, and the glide path indications are as depicted. See Figure 6-4.

Runway lighting is described in FAA Legends 30 and 31.

Figure 6-3

Figure 6-4

VFR-On-Top

A pilot operating in visual meteorological conditions (VMC) while on an IFR flight plan may wish to select an altitude of his/her choice. The pilot may request VFR-On-Top, and if the request is approved, select an appropriate VFR altitude based on the magnetic course being flown, which is at or above the minimum IFR altitude (0° through 179°, odd thousands plus 500 feet; 180° through 359°, even thousands plus 500 feet).

ATC may provide traffic information on other IFR or VFR aircraft to pilots operating VFR-On-Top, but when in VMC, it is the pilot’s responsibility to see and avoid other aircraft.

Pilots should advise ATC prior to any altitude change to ensure the exchange of accurate traffic information.

VFR-On-Top will not be authorized at or above 18,000 feet MSL.