Air Law - Departures

6 important questions on Air Law - Departures

Volume II Construction of Visual and Instrumental Flight Procedures

Is intended for the guidance of procedures specialists and describes the essential areas and obstacle clearance requirements for the achievement of safe, regular instrument flight operations.

Departure Procedures General Criteria

Obstacle clearance is the primary safety consideration in the development of instrument flight procedures.

Standard Instrument Departure (SID)

The SID terminates at the first fix/facility/way-point of the en-route phase following the departure procedure.


The design of an instrument departure procedure is, in general, dictated by the terrain surrounding the aerodrome, but may also be required to cater for ATC requirements


Where no suitable navigation aid is available for track guidance, the criteria for omnidirectional departures are applied
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Parameters of construction of of the turning areas are based on:

  • Altitude (turn at altitude/height/point)
  • Temperature (ISA + 15)
  • Indicated Air Speed (IAS)
  • True Air Speed (TAS)
  • Wind
  • Bank angle (15 degrees average)
  • Fix tolerance
  • Flight technical tolerances (pilot reaction time 0-3s +  bank establishment time = 0-3s total: 6s)
  • Turn boundary
  • Secondary Areas

Where obstacles do not permit development of omnidirectional procedures, it is necessary to:

Fly a standard intrument departure (SID) route; or
Ensure that ceiling and visibility will permit obstacles to be avoided by visual means

Area Navigation (RNAV) Departure

Based on VOR / DME

  • The procedure must be based on one reference facility composed of a VOR and co-located DME. (indicated on SID chart)
  • RNAV systems approved by State of the Operator if:
  • The RNAV equipment is serviceable
  • Pilot has current knowledge to operate the equipment
  • Published VOR/DME facility is serviceable (NOTAMS!!)

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