AIM Text
- Pilot.
- Prior to departure considers the type of terrain and other obstructions on or in the vicinity of the departure airport.
- Determines if obstruction avoidance can be maintained visually or that the departure procedure should be followed.
- Determines whether an obstacle departure procedure (ODP) and/or DP is available for obstruction avoidance. One option may be a Visual Climb Over Airport (VCOA). Pilots must advise ATC as early as possible of the intent to fly the VCOA prior to departure.
- At airports where IAPs have not been published, hence no published departure procedure, determines what action will be necessary and takes such action that will assure a safe departure.
- Controller.
- At locations with airport traffic control service, when necessary, specifies direction of takeoff, turn, or initial heading to be flown after takeoff, consistent with published departure procedures (DP) or diverse vector areas (DVA), where applicable.
- At locations without airport traffic control service but within Class E surface area when necessary to specify direction of takeoff, turn, or initial heading to be flown, obtains pilot's concurrence that the procedure will allow the pilot to comply with local traffic patterns, terrain, and obstruction avoidance.
- When the initial heading will take the aircraft off an assigned procedure (for example, an RNAV SID with a published lateral path to a waypoint and crossing restrictions from the departure end of runway), the controller will assign an altitude to maintain with the initial heading.
- Includes established departure procedures as part of the ATC clearance when pilot compliance is necessary to ensure separation.
- At locations with both SIDs and DVAs, ATC will provide an amended departure clearance to cancel a previously assigned SID and subsequently utilize a DVA or vice versa. The amended clearance will be provided to the pilot in a timely manner so that the pilot may confirm adequate climb performance exists to determine if the amended clearance is acceptable, and brief the changes in advance of entering the runway.
- At locations with a DVA, ATC is not permitted to utilize a SID and DVA concurrently.
Source: FAA Aeronautical Information Manual · current edition · paragraph 5-5-14.
The short answer
This AIM section is FAA advisory guidance on Instrument Departures and the respective pilot and controller responsibilities. Pilots assess terrain and obstructions, determine whether an obstacle departure procedure (ODP), DP, or Visual Climb Over Airport (VCOA) applies, and controllers specify takeoff direction, headings, and departure clearances — supporting safe IFR departures under 14 CFR Part 91.
Research Notes
Common Questions
What is a Visual Climb Over Airport (VCOA) and what must a pilot do to use it?
Can ATC use a SID and a diverse vector area (DVA) at the same time?
No. At locations with a DVA, ATC is not permitted to utilize a SID and DVA concurrently. Where both exist, ATC issues an amended departure clearance to cancel a previously assigned SID and use a DVA, or vice versa, in time for the pilot to confirm climb performance and brief the changes before entering the runway.
What should a pilot do for departure from an airport with no published departure procedure?
The AIM advises that at airports where IAPs have not been published — hence no published departure procedure — the pilot determines what action will be necessary and takes such action that will assure a safe departure, considering terrain and obstructions in the vicinity.