12/2/21
AIM
void time will result in the aircraft being considered
overdue and search and rescue procedures initiated.
NOTE
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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
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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 informa-
tion 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
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B on the appropriate
VFR code. An IFR clearance may not be available
after departure.
EXAMPLE
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(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
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(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.
b.
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.
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8. Departure Control
a.
Departure Control is an approach control
function responsible for ensuring separation between
departures. So as to expedite the handling of
departures, Departure Control may suggest a takeoff
direction other than that which may normally have
been used under VFR handling. Many times it is
preferred to offer the pilot a runway that will require
the fewest turns after takeoff to place the pilot on
course or selected departure route as quickly as
possible. At many locations particular attention is
paid to the use of preferential runways for local noise
abatement programs, and route departures away from
congested areas.
b.
Departure Control utilizing radar will normally
clear aircraft out of the terminal area using vectors, a
diverse vector area (DVA), or published DPs.
1.
When a departure is to be vectored
immediately following takeoff using vectors, a DVA,
or published DPs that begins with an ATC assigned
heading off the ground, the pilot will be advised prior
to takeoff of the initial heading to be flown but may
not be advised of the purpose of the heading. When
ATC assigns an initial heading with the takeoff
clearance that 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 and, if necessary, a speed to maintain.
2.
At some airports when a departure will fly an
RNAV SID that begins at the runway, ATC may
advise aircraft of the initial fix/waypoint on the
Departure Procedures
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