2-1. IFR Takeoff Minimums. During preflight planning prior to departure on an IFR flight plan, reference should be made to FLIP Terminal publications to determine whether a Departure Procedure (DP) has been established and whether or not alternate take-off minimums should be applied. Takeoff minimums or departure procedures apply if the symbol is shown in the minimums box.

2-2. Departure Procedures. Published DPs assist pilots conducting IFR flight in avoiding obstacles during climbout to minimum enroute altitude (MEA).

    a. Obstacle clearance is based on the aircraft climbing at 200ft per nautical mile, and climbing to 400ft AGL above airport elevation before turning, unless otherwise specified in the procedure. A slope of 152 feet per mile, starting no higher than 35 feet above the departure end of the runway, is assessed for obstacles. A minimum of 48 feet of obstacle clearance is provided for each mile of flight.

        (1) For heliports and helipads, instrument departure obstacle clearance is based on helicopters climbing 352’ per nautical mile and climbing to 400, above takeoff area elevation before turning. A slope of 304’ per mile starting at the end of the departure area is assessed for obstacles.

        (2) If obstacles penetrate the slope, obstacles avoidance procedures are specified. These procedures may be: a ceiling and visibility to allow the obstacles to be seen and avoided; a climb gradient greater than 200 feet per mile (352’ for heliports); detailed flight maneuvers; or, a combination of the above. In extreme cases, IFR takeoff may not be authorized.

EXAMPLE: Rwy 17, 300-1 or standard with minimum climb of 220'/NM to 1100.

    b. Climb gradients are specified when required for obstacle clearance. Crossing restrictions in DPs may be established for traffic separation or obstacle clearance. When no gradient is specified, the pilot is expected to climb at least 200 feet per mile to MEA unless required to level off by a crossing restriction.

EXAMPLE: "CROSS ALPHA INTERSECTION AT OR ABOVE 4000; MAINTAIN 6000." The pilot climbs at least 200 feet per mile to 6000. If 4000 is reached before ALPHA, the pilot levels off at 4000 until passing ALPHA; then immediately resumes at least 200 feet per mile climb.

    c. Climb gradients may be specified to an altitude, above which the normal gradient applies.

EXAMPLE: "MININUM CLIMB 340'/NM TO 2700'. " The pilot climbs at least 340 feet per mile to 2700', then at least 200 feet per mile to MEA.

    d. Some procedures require a climb in visual conditions to cross the airport (or an airport NAVAID) at or above an altitude.

EXAMPLE: "Climb visually to cross the airport at or above 8800', then climb via R-293 to ABC VOR."

        (1) The specified ceiling and visibility minimums will be enough to allow the pilot to see and avoid obstacles near the airport. Obstacle avoidance is not guaranteed if the pilot maneuvers farther from the airport than the visibility minimum.

        (2) That segment of the procedure which requires the pilot to see and avoid obstacles ends when the aircraft crosses the specified point at the required altitude. Thereafter, standard obstacle protection is provided.

    e. Each pilot, prior to departing an airport on an IFR flight, should consider the type of terrain and other obstacles on or in the vicinity of the departure airport and:

        (1) Determine if a departure procedure is available for obstacle avoidance.

        (2) Determine if obstacle avoidance can be maintained visually or that the departure should be followed.

        (3) Determine what action will be necessary and take such action that will assure a safe departure.

2-3. Obstacle Clearance - Departure Rate of Climb/Descent Table. The minimum rate-of-climb quoted in the IFR take-off minimums and departure procedures section quotes figures in feet per nautical mile. The rate-of-climb indicators in aircraft are measured in feet per minute. Rate of descent for a descent for a precision approach is based on the angle of the glide path/slope. Therefore, a rate-of-climb/descent table has been developed (Figure 3) and appears on the inside of the back cover of the IAP volumes.

2-4. Departure Procedures. Airports with takeoff minimums other than standard are described in airport listings on separate pages, titled IFR TAKE-OFF MINIMUMS AND DEPARTURE PROCEDURES at the front of each IAP book. The approach chart and DP chart for each airport with non-standard take-off minimums is annotated with a special symbol . The use of this symbol indicates that the separate listing should be consulted. These minimums also apply to Graphic DPs unless the Graphic DPs specify different minimums.