Departure Restrictions, Clearance Void Times, Hold for…

AIM Text

ATC may assign departure restrictions, clearance void times, hold for release, and release times, when necessary, to separate departures from other traffic or to restrict or regulate the departure flow. Departures from an airport without an operating control tower must be issued either a departure release (along with a release time and/or void time if applicable), or a hold for release.

REFERENCE-

FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 4-3-4, Departure Release, Hold for Release, Release Times, Departure Restrictions, and Clearance Void Times.
1. Clearance Void Times.A pilot may receive a clearance, when operating from an airport without a control tower, which contains a provision for the clearance to be void if not airborne by a specific time. A pilot who does not depart prior to the clearance void time must advise ATC as soon as possible of their intentions. ATC will normally advise the pilot of the time allotted to notify ATC that the aircraft did not depart prior to the clearance void time. This time cannot exceed 30 minutes. Failure of an aircraft to contact ATC within 30 minutes after the clearance void time will result in the aircraft being considered overdue and search and rescue procedures initiated.
  NOTE-
  1. Other IFR traffic for the airport where the clearance is issued is suspended until the aircraft has contacted ATC or until 30 minutes after the clearance void time or 30 minutes after the clearance release time if no clearance void time is issued.
  2. If the clearance void time expires, it does not cancel the departure clearance or IFR flight plan. It withdraws the pilot's authority to depart IFR until a new departure release/release time has been issued by ATC and is acknowledged by the pilot.
  3. Pilots who depart at or after their clearance void time are not afforded IFR separation and may be in violation of 14 CFR section 91.173 which requires that pilots receive an appropriate ATC clearance before operating IFR in controlled airspace.
  4. Pilots who choose to depart VFR after their clearance void time has expired should not depart using the previously assigned IFR transponder code.
  EXAMPLE-
  
  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.
2. Hold for Release.ATC may issue “hold for release” instructions in a clearance to delay an aircraft's departure for traffic management reasons (i.e., weather, traffic volume, etc.). When ATC states in the clearance, “hold for release,” the pilot may not depart utilizing that IFR clearance until a release time or additional instructions are issued by ATC. In addition, ATC will include departure delay information in conjunction with “hold for release” instructions. The ATC instruction, “hold for release,” applies to the IFR clearance and does not prevent the pilot from departing under VFR. However, prior to takeoff the pilot should cancel the IFR flight plan and operate the transponder/ADS-B on the appropriate VFR code. An IFR clearance may not be available after departure.
  
  EXAMPLE-
  
  (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. Release Times.A “release time” is a departure restriction issued to a pilot by ATC, specifying the earliest time an aircraft may depart. ATC will use “release times” in conjunction with traffic management procedures and/or to separate a departing aircraft from other traffic.
  
  EXAMPLE-
  
  (Aircraft identification) released for departure at (time in hours and/or minutes).
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 after the EDCT.
If practical, pilots departing uncontrolled airports should obtain IFR clearances prior to becoming airborne when two‐way communications with the controlling ATC facility is available.

Source: FAA Aeronautical Information Manual · current edition · paragraph 5-2-7.

The short answer

This AIM section is FAA advisory guidance on departure restrictions ATC may assign: clearance void times, hold for release, and release times (including EDCT). It explains how these regulate departure flow at airports without an operating control tower. It supports 14 CFR 91.173, which requires an appropriate ATC clearance before operating IFR in controlled airspace.

Research Notes

Common Questions

What happens if I don't depart before my clearance void time?

Per the AIM, a pilot who does not depart before the clearance void time must advise ATC as soon as possible of intentions. The time to notify ATC cannot exceed 30 minutes; failure to contact ATC within 30 minutes after the void time results in the aircraft being considered overdue and search and rescue procedures initiated.

Does "hold for release" stop me from departing VFR?

No. The AIM explains 'hold for release' applies to the IFR clearance and does not prevent the pilot from departing under VFR; ATC includes departure delay information with it. However, before takeoff the pilot should cancel the IFR flight plan and operate the transponder/ADS-B on the appropriate VFR code, because an IFR clearance may not be available after departure.

What is the EDCT departure window?

The AIM defines the Expect Departure Clearance Time (EDCT) as the runway release time assigned to an aircraft in traffic management programs. Aircraft are expected to depart no earlier than 5 minutes before, and no later than 5 minutes after, the EDCT. A 'release time' separately specifies the earliest time an aircraft may depart.

5-2-7. Departure Restrictions, Clearance Void Times, Hold for Release, and Release Times