12/2/21
AIM
6.
Climb gradients may be specified only to an
altitude/fix, above which the normal gradient applies.
An ATC
−
required altitude restriction published at a
fix, will not have an associated climb gradient pub-
lished with that restriction. Pilots are expected to
determine if crossing altitudes can be met, based on
the performance capability of the aircraft they are op-
erating.
EXAMPLE
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“Minimum climb 340 FPNM to ALPHA.” The pilot climbs
at least 340 FPNM to ALPHA, then at least 200 FPNM to
MIA.
7.
A Visual Climb Over Airport (VCOA)
procedure is a departure option for an IFR aircraft,
operating in visual meteorological conditions equal
to or greater than the specified visibility and ceiling,
to visually conduct climbing turns over the airport to
the published “at or above” altitude. At this point, the
pilot may proceed in instrument meteorological
conditions to the first en route fix using a diverse
departure, or to proceed via a published routing to a
fix from where the aircraft may join the IFR en route
structure, while maintaining a climb gradient of at
least 200 feet per nautical mile. VCOA procedures
are developed to avoid obstacles greater than 3 statute
miles from the departure end of the runway as an
alternative to complying with climb gradients greater
than 200 feet per nautical mile. Pilots are responsible
to advise ATC as early as possible of the intent to fly
the VCOA option prior to departure. Pilots are
expected to remain within the distance prescribed in
the published visibility minimums during the climb
over the airport until reaching the “at or above”
altitude for the VCOA procedure. If no additional
routing is published, then the pilot may proceed in
accordance with their IFR clearance. If additional
routing is published after the “at
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or
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above” altitude,
the pilot must comply with the route to a fix that may
include a climb
−
in
−
holding pattern to reach the
MEA/MIA for the en route portion of their IFR flight.
These textual procedures are published in the
Take
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Off Minimums and (Obstacle) Departure
Procedures section of the Terminal Procedures
Publications and/or appear as an option on a Graphic
ODP.
EXAMPLE
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TAKEOFF MINIMUMS: Rwy 32, standard with minimum
climb of 410’ per NM to 3000’ or 1100
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3 for VCOA.
VCOA: Rwy 32, obtain ATC approval for VCOA when
requesting IFR clearance. Climb in visual conditions to
cross Broken Bow Muni/Keith Glaze Field at or above
3500’ before proceeding on course.
f.
Who is responsible for obstacle clearance? DPs
are designed so that adherence to the procedure by the
pilot will ensure obstacle protection. Additionally:
1.
Obstacle clearance responsibility also rests
with the pilot when he/she chooses to climb in visual
conditions in lieu of flying a DP and/or depart under
increased takeoff minima rather than fly the climb
gradient. Standard takeoff minima are one statute
mile for aircraft having two engines or less and
one
−
half statute mile for aircraft having more than
two engines. Specified ceiling and visibility minima
will allow visual avoidance of obstacles during the
initial climb at the standard climb gradient. When
departing using the VCOA, obstacle avoidance is not
guaranteed if the pilot maneuvers farther from the
airport than the published visibility minimum for the
VCOA prior to reaching the published VCOA
altitude. DPs may also contain what are called Low
Close in Obstacles. These obstacles are less than 200
feet above the departure end of runway elevation and
within one NM of the runway end and do not require
increased takeoff minimums. These obstacles are
identified on the SID chart or in the Take
−
off
Minimums and (Obstacle) Departure Procedures
section of the U. S. Terminal Procedure booklet.
These obstacles are especially critical to aircraft that
do not lift off until close to the departure end of the
runway or which climb at the minimum rate. Pilots
should also consider drift following lift
−
off to ensure
sufficient clearance from these obstacles. That
segment of the procedure that requires the pilot to see
and avoid obstacles ends when the aircraft crosses the
specified point at the required altitude. In all cases
continued obstacle clearance is based on having
climbed a minimum of 200 feet per nautical mile to
the specified point and then continuing to climb at
least 200 foot per nautical mile during the departure
until reaching the minimum en route altitude unless
specified otherwise.
2.
ATC may vector the aircraft beginning with
an ATC
−
assigned heading issued with the initial or
takeoff clearance followed by subsequent vectors, if
required, until reaching the minimum vectoring
altitude by using a published Diverse Vector Area
(DVA).
Departure Procedures
5
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2
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