Complicated/Unclear IFR Departure Scenario

6 Answers

1. 
   

   
   

   Russ Roslewski on Dec 28, 2020

   Option 1: Under Part 91, you are not required to follow an existing obstacle departure (unless it’s included in your clearance) – you are permitted to “roll you own” if you like. I don’t find this to be a particularly good idea generally, as you will not have access to the obstacle and terrain databases the FAA uses to evaluate these things, nor are you likely to have the knowledge of safety margins and such that are contained in TERPS.

   Option 2: Offload weight until you can make the climb gradients.

   Option 3: Wait for better weather.

   That’s pretty much it. If this airport is going to be a regular stop for you, and the weather is regularly IMC, you may want to consider taking a higher-performing aircraft instead.

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   Mark Kolber on Dec 29, 2020

   I agree with Russ. It’s not particularly unclear. You have a series of departures with guaranteed obstacle clearance you can’t meet. What’s left is rolling your own, taking upon yourself (and any people or property with you) all the risks associated with flying a departure for which obstacle clearance has not been officially assessed.

   From a regulatory standpoint, the risks include a potential 91.13 (careless/reckless) violation, but that’s the tiniest worry, relatively speaking.

   I did an article on rolling your own a few years ago. Sometimes this site hides links so, if interested, try to Google *not enough departures IFR magazine*.

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   Gary S. on Jan 08, 2021

   Never heard of rolling your own but I have heard of common sense. All the nomenclature published on approach and departure plates are there for a reason…safety. As far as I’m concerned they are as much a regulation as the regulations themselves are. So…..What options are left to depart IFR? Depart as per your clearance.

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   AviatorTrevor88 on Feb 10, 2021

   This is in response to the CFIs who answered: how do I coordinate with ATC a homebrew departure procedure?? What if my departure procedure is essentially flying a circle over the airport and using synthetic vision and TAWS for obstacle avoidance?

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   John D Collins on Feb 11, 2021

   Trevor,

   That form of RYO departure plan is fraught with risks. The TAWS or terrain warning features and the SVT feature are not intended for that kind of use. For example on the G500TXi, at the very top of the Pilot guide, you will find many warnings including these:

   WARNING: Navigation and terrain separation must NOT be predicated
   upon the use of the terrain function. The G500 Terrain Proximity feature
   is NOT intended to be used as a primary reference for terrain avoidance
   and does not relieve the pilot from the responsibility of being aware of
   surroundings during flight. The Terrain Proximity feature is only to be used
   as an aid for terrain avoidance and is not certified for use in applications
   requiring a certified terrain awareness system. Terrain data is obtained
   from third party sources. Garmin is not able to independently verify the
   accuracy of the terrain data.

   WARNING: Do not use Terrain-SVT information for primary terrain
   avoidance. Terrain-SVT is intended only to enhance situational
   awareness.

   If you were to use these features for this purpose, it would most likely be considered as careless and reckless operation.

   On the other hand, if you were very familiar with the airport and environment and had first hand knowledge of where the obstacles were and used a plan that would positively avoid them on climb out, that might work, particularly at an airport that did not have IFR services and therefore no DP was available.

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   mjc123 on Dec 18, 2022

   If you are unable to meet the required climb gradients for the published departure procedures (SIDs, DVA, ODP) at an airport, and a visual climb over obstacles (VCOA) is not possible due to the weather conditions, you may be able to request a special instrument departure (SID) with a lower climb gradient from air traffic control (ATC). To do this, you should contact ATC before your departure and explain your situation. ATC may be able to offer you a special departure route with a lower climb gradient that is appropriate for your aircraft’s performance.

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