AIM 

4/20/23 

“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 information 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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2

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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 RNAV route. The purpose of the advisory is to remind pilots to verify 

the correct procedure is programmed in the FMS before takeoff. Pilots must immediately advise ATC if a 

different RNAV SID is entered in the aircraft’s FMC. When this advisory is absent, pilots are still required to 

fly the assigned SID as published. 

EXAMPLE

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Delta 345 RNAV to MPASS, Runway26L, cleared for takeoff. 

NOTE

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1. 

The SID transition is not restated as it is contained in the ATC clearance. 

2. 

Aircraft cleared via RNAV SIDs designed to begin with a vector to the initial waypoint are assigned a heading before 

departure. 

3. 

Pilots operating in a radar environment are expected to associate departure headings or an RNAV 

departure advisory with vectors or the flight path to their planned route or flight. When given a vector taking the 

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Departure Procedures