Reference Books

• Instrument Procedures Handbook. U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Flight Standards Service, 2017.
• Instrument Pilot Syllabus (10001785-003). (2016). Englewood, CO: Jeppesen

Reference Multimedia

• https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Seal_of_the_United_States_Federal_Aviation_Administration.svg
• http://allvectorlogo.com/jeppesen-logo/
• https://pilotworkshop.com/tips/odps-and-sids/
• https://s30382.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/p1bq3urdrsvp6bmieh410410p86.jpg.webp
• https://aeronav.faa.gov/d-tpp/2303/00257MIAMI.PDF

Index

The index for this ground lesson has been restructured by Ecflight to provide students with a more chronological and understandable experience. It is worth mentioning that it still includes all the topics proposed by the Jeppesen Syllabus.

Index

Index

Takeoff Minimums 

• For Part 91 operators, it is legal to depart with 0 ceiling and 0 visibiliy conditions. However, as a rule of thumb, it would be safe to go only if you know the departing weather will be above landing minimums

Clich here

Two engines or less = 1 statute Mile

More than two engines = 1/2 statute mile

• The T depicted  above (Found on the approach plates from the departing airport) indicate that KMIA has Non-Standard Take-Off Minimums.

"If departing from runway 8L in KMIA. The pilot should at least have 300 foot ceiling and 1 and quarter mile of visibility. If he didn't have this weather he could still depart with 1 or 1 1/12  miles (depending of the aircraft if he can maintain a 382' per NM climb gradient until reaching 300."

• For more information click here

Departure Procedures 

• Departure procedures exist to make controllers' and pilots' jobs safer, more efficient, and with a reduced workload.

• A DP provides obstacle clearance protection to aircraft in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), while reducing ATC and pilot workload.

• A DP also provides an efficient and safe transition from the terminal to the en route phase.

Departure Charts 

Instruments charts are published by The National Aeronautical Charting Office (NACO) and Jeppesen Sanderson, INC. NACO charts mainly focus on the United States, its territories, and possessions. Jeppesen charts have a worldwide focus. 

Climb Gradients

• The standard IFR departure procedure is based on the aircraft climbing at a rate of 200 FT/NM and crossing the departure end of the runway at least 35' AGL until reaching 400' AGL before making an initial turn.

• From the end of the runway, there is also another imaginary slope of 152 ft per NM, which is known as the Obstacle Clearance Surface (OCS). Its objective is to identify any obstacle on the departure leg. This slope is also known as the 40:1 OCS.

• If there is any obstacle that transgresses the 40:1 OCS, the aircraft will no longer have obstacle clearance; therefore, weather minimums are raised, or obstacle departure procedures are established (the FAA may create a non-standard takeoff minimum).

What's the Required Obstacle Clearance?

But......

• The 200 ft per NM gradient is over the 40:1 OCS slope by increments of 48 ft every nautical mile (e.g., at 1 NM, it provides 48 ft of obstacle clearance; at 2 NM, it will be 96 ft; at 3 NM, it will be 144 ft; and so on). 

Types of Departure Procedures

• Establish a steeper than normal rate of climb, or

• Establish a steeper than normal rate of climb with an alternative that increases the take off weather minima, or

• Design and publish a specific departure route, or

• A combination of all above

Standard Instrument Departures (SIDs)

SIDs Main Points

• SIDs were designed graphically to allow pilots to transition from the Terminal to the Enroute phase of the IFR Flight providing obstacle clearance.
• The main objective of a SID is to reduce ATC and pilots workload by simplifying communication.​
• You need an ATC clearance to fly them and you must possess their graphic form to accept one. ​
• You must comply with the published NOTES on the SID.
• If the pilot wishes not to use one he must clarify it in the remarks section of the flight plan, "NO SID"

Each SID is identified by an abbreviated name and numeral, then a dot followed by the name of exit or transition fix (MIA9.MIA)

Performing a SID 

To fly a SID you must have a charted procedure or at least a  textual description

Before Takeoff

Initial Climb

Fly to Departure Fix

Intercept Course

Fly Transition Course

Vector SID

Chart Features

Pilot Navigation

SID Chart Features

• A pilot NAV allows the pilot to self navigate the SID on his own with the least use of Radar Vectors.
• In order to achieve this, the SID uses departure routes and transitions as shown on the red box above.

RNAV SID

Chart Features 

• RNAV title will be at the top of the departure procedure chart.
• The pilot navigate the SID with rnav procedures
• Aircraft must have a GPS onboard and meet specific equipment and performance standards to fly the SID

• DME
• Two different VOR to determine position and location
• RNAV must be equipped with RNAV 1 standards:

If aircraft is not equipped with a GPS

• Total system error of not more than 1 NM for 95% of total flight
• Must engage RNAV equipment no later than 500 ft above airport elevation
• CDI/Autopilot in lateral navigation mode

Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODPs)

• Obstacle departure procedures are designed exclusively for obstacle clearance.

• They come in textual and graphic form.

• ODPs don't require an ATC Clearance

• They can be found on the front part of the Terminal Procedures Publication or TPP.

Textual ODP 

Graphic ODP 

When do you perform an ODP?

• When an airplane cannot meet the SID performance or does not have the required equipment

• If you can’t meet climb gradient or obstacle clearance.

• If ATC assigns a SID or vectors and you meet performance, don’t use the ODP. If you’re cleared on a SID or vectors, follow that clearance. ODP is only mandatory if no other procedure resolves obstacles.

• Based on the situation, a pilot should select the most suitable type of departure procedure.
• Factors such as weather, terrain, and obstacles at your departure airport should be considered.
• Questions such as: Is an ODP available that can allow me to connect with the enroute structure of my flight plan? If I choose "NO DPS," can ATC assign radar vectors for my departure? Does the weather permit a VFR departure in order to pick up my IFR clearance in the air?
• After answering these questions, always familiarize yourself with the intended departure option you've selected.

Selecting a Departure Method

Other Type of Departures

Diverse Vector Area (DVA)

• Departures in DVA does not follow specific ground track, but must remain within the specified area

• ATC will give you obstacle clearance by vectoring you before reaching minimum vector altitude and below IFR altitude

• Climb gradient of 200 FT/NM applies unless a higher climb gradient is specified on the SID

Visual Climb Over Airport (VCOA)

• Provides an alternative to comply with climb gradients greater than 200 FT/NM

•  VFR conditions or greater than specified visibility and ceiling

• Avoid obstacles greater than 3 SM from the departure end of the runway

• VCOAs can come as an option on graphic ODPs.

Vectors 

• ATC may provide vectors if you are departing from an area with ATC radar
   
• ATC initially gives out a initial heading to follow, then eventually departure control will take over and they will provide with additional vectors to follow.

• A radar departure is another option to depart an airport under IFR.
   
• If an airport doesn't have a departure procedure, you are unable to comply with one or if you selected ' NO SIDs ' you might be given a radar departure

• It is always advisable to keep awareness of your position when being radar vectored in case for some reason radar contact is lost.

Briefing the Departure 

Voice By John Duque

ODPs

• Only provide obstacle clearance. §91.175 (which doesn't affect 91 operations) specifies that unless ATC issues radar vectors, a SID or other alternative form of departure, pilots must adhere to and follow the published ODP.

SIDs

• SIDs expedite the flow of traffic at busy airports. Besides providing obstacle clearance, they also simplify clearance delivery procedures; however, they do require an ATC clearance. If a pilot doesn't wish to perform one, "NO SIDs" should be specified in the remarks of the FLP plan.

Departure Options (SIDs and ODPs)

VFR Departures 

• When weather conditions permit, it is possible to depart an airport under VFR conditions and pick up an IFR clearance in the air from ARTCC.
• VMC conditions must be maintained until receiving an IFR clearance in order to operate in IMC conditions.
• While on VFR, it is the pilot's responsibility to remain clear of obstacles and terrain until reaching an IFR altitude that will eventually be given by ATC.