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 7110.65, Takeoff Clearance, paragraph 3-9-9.
FAAO 7110.65, Cancellation of Takeoff Clearance, paragraph 3-9-10.
Include the following items in IFR departure clearances:
NOTE -
When considered necessary, controllers or pilots may initiate readbacks
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 - 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.
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.
{New-98-8 Revised August 13, 1998}
2. Where only textually described instrument departure procedures
have been published for a location and pilot compliance is necessary to
insure separation, include the procedure as part of the ATC clearance.
{New-98-8 Added August 13, 1998}
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 NOS
Instrument Approach Procedure Charts and appropriate FAA Forms 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 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.
{New-98-8 Revised August 13, 1998. "DP" was "SID" or "FMSP"}
4. DP's:
(a) Assign a DP (including transition if necessary). Assign
a PDR or the route filed by the pilot only when a DP is not established
for the departure route to be flown or the pilot has indicated that he/she
does not wish to use a DP.
{New-98-8 Revised August 13, 1998.}
PHRASEOLOGY -
(DP name and number) DEPARTURE.
(DP name and number) DEPARTURE, (transition name) TRANSITION.
EXAMPLE -
"Stroudsburg One Departure."
"Stroudsburg One Departure, Sparta Transition."
"Stroudsburg One RNAV Departure."
{New-98-8 Revised August 13, 1998. "DP" was "SID" or "FMSP"}
NOTE -
If a pilot does not wish to use a DP issued in an ATC clearance
or any other DP published for that location, he/she
is expected to advise ATC.
{New-98-8 Revised August 13, 1998. "DP" was "SID" or "FMSP"}
(b) If it is necessary to assign a crossing altitude which
differs from the DP altitude, repeat the changed altitude to the pilot
for emphasis.
{New-98-8 Revised August 13, 1998. "DP" was "SID" or "FMSP"}
PHRASEOLOGY -
(DP 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."
{New-98-8 Revised August 13, 1998. "DP" was "SID" or "FMSP"}
(c) Specify altitudes when they are not included in the
DP.
{New-98-8 Revised August 13, 1998. "DP" was "SID" or "FMSP"}
PHRASEOLOGY -
(DP 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 traffic
to accommodate the high performance climb and allow the pilot to climb
to his planned altitude without restriction.
1. Assign the altitude requested by the pilot.
2. Assign an altitude, as near as possible to the altitude requested
by the pilot, and
{New-98-8 Revised August 13, 1998. "DP" was "SID" or "FMSP"}
(a) Inform the pilot when to expect clearance to the requested
altitude unless instructions are contained in the specified DP, 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 - CFR Part 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:
1. The altitude or flight level assigned in the last ATC clearance
received.
2. The minimum altitude (converted, if appropriate, to minimum flight
level as prescribed in CFR Part 91.121(c)) for IFR operations. (This altitude
should be consistent with MEAs, MOCAs, etc.)
3. 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 pilots
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 should 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.
Advised 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 7110.65, Abbreviated Departure Clearance, paragraph 4-3-3.
FAAO 7110.65, Initial Heading, paragraph 5-8-2.
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 7110.65, IFR-VFR and VFR-IFR Flights, paragraph 4-2-8.
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 or the company or the operations
officer before departure. He is expected to inform the control facility
on initial radio contact if he 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 paragraph
4-3-2, Departure Clearances, subparagraph 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 operations
office) or the controller responsible for initiating the clearance to the
aircraft.
c. Specify the destination airport in the clearance.
{New-98-8 Revised August 13, 1998. "DP" was "SID" or "FMSP"}
d. When no changes are required in the filed route, state the
phrase, "Cleared to (destination) airport, (DP and DP transition, as appropriate);
then, as filed." If a DP is not assigned, follow with "As filed." Specify
the assigned altitude; and, if required, add any additional instructions
or information.
{New-98-8 Revised August 13, 1998. "DP" was "SID" or "FMSP"}
PHRASEOLOGY -
CLEARED TO (destination) AIRPORT;
and as appropriate,
(DP name and number) DEPARTURE, AS FILED.
MAINTAIN (altitude); (additional instructions or information).
If a DP 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."
{New-98-8 Revised August 13, 1998. "DP" was "SID" or "FMSP"}
NOTE -
1 - DP's are excluded from "cleared as filed" procedures.
2 - If a pilot does not wish to accept an ATC clearance to fly
a DP, he is expected to advise ATC or state "NO
DP" in his 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
{New-98-8 Revised August 13, 1998. "DP" was "SID" or "FMSP"}
(2) If it reduces verbiage, state the phrase, "Cleared to (destination)
airport, (DP and DP 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 DP 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.
{New-98-8 Revised August 13, 1998. "DP" was "SID" or "FMSP"}
PHRASEOLOGY -
CLEARED TO (destination) AIRPORT;
and as appropriate,
(DP 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 DP 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 7110.65, ALTRV Clearance, paragraph 4-2-7.
FAAO 7110.65, Military Operations Above FL 600, paragraph 9-3-11.
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 7110.65, Overdue Aircraft, paragraph 10-3-1.
FAAO 7110.65, Traffic Restrictions, paragraph 10-4-1.
FAAO 7110.65, Traffic Resumption, paragraph 10-4-3.
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 controlled departure time (CDT) procedures are in effect,
the departure terminal shall, to the extent possible, plan ground movement
of aircraft destined to the affected airport(s) so that flights are sequenced
to depart as near as possible to the assigned EDCT, but no earlier than
5 minutes prior to the EDCT or 15 minutes after the assigned EDCT. If the
aircraft is unable to meet these parameters, contact the overlying TMU
for a revised EDCT.
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.
4-3-6 Forward Departure Delay Information
Inform approach control facilities and/or towers of anticipated departure delays.
4-3-7 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.
{New-98-3 Revised February 26, 1998}
REFERENCE -
FAAO 7110.65, Section 4. Transfer of Radar Identification, Application,
paragraph 5-4-1.
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.
4-3-8 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.
4-3-9 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 Field 4 of the Full Data Block signify
unsuccessful transmission of an automatic departure message.
{New-98-3 Revised February 26, 1998}
REFERENCE -
FAAO 7210.3, Automatic Acquisition/Termination Areas, paragraph
11-2-6.