IFR En Route Procedures, SIDS/STARS and Terminal Procedures

Standard Instrument Departures (SIDs)

• Pilot climbs on a course, usually a cardinal heading, to join the en route structure.
• If a pilot doesn't want to fly a SID, they must annotate "no SIDS" in the remarks section of the flight plan.

Advantages of Using SIDs

• Reduces workload for ATC and pilots.
• ATC can simply instruct the pilot to "fly the [Procedure Name] departure."
• Provides a structured plan with specific points and altitudes.
• SIDs are not mandatory, but some locations may still vector you through the arrival even if you request no STARS/SIDs.

Identifying SIDs and Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODPs)

• The chart will indicate "Obstacle Departure" at the top if it's an ODP.
• Otherwise, it's a SID.

ODP Departure Brief

• Airport name
• Name of departure
• Airport and departure frequencies
• Pictorial description of the departure
• Departure takeoff minimums
• Height and location of takeoff obstacles
• Chart validity and expiration dates
• Mandatory textual description

Example Departure Procedure

• Taking off from Runway 3, climb left direct to OGD VOR.
• Then, on the 221 radial to Edmont Intersection or OGD 18 DME.
• Ending in "vents" indicates the initial steps.
• Climb in Edmont Intersection holding pattern to the minimum en route altitude or minimum crossing altitude for assigned route.

Takeoff Minimums

• Standard takeoff minimums per 91 regulations:
  • No minimum visibility requirements.
  • Standard climb gradient is $200$ feet per nautical mile.
• Under Part 91, there are no minimums for takeoff, but approaches do have minimums.
• Need to ensure ability to return after departure especially in low visibility conditions.

Takeoff Minimums on Charts

• Standard minimums are implied, not always explicitly stated.
• Example: Runway 3 has standard minimums with a minimum climb of $356$ feet per nautical mile to $6,100$ feet MSL.

Calculating Climb Gradient

• Formula: $\text{Ground Speed} \times \frac{\text{Feet per Nautical Mile}}{60} = \text{Feet per Minute Required}$
• Example:
  • Ground speed: $120$ knots
  • Climb gradient: $356$ feet per nautical mile
  • Required climb: $120 \times \frac{356}{60} = 712$ feet per minute
• Pilot must determine if the aircraft can meet the required climb gradient based on location and conditions.

Terminal Procedures Publication (TPP) or TERPs Chart

• ForeFlight users can find terminal procedures in the FAA section under chart supplements.
• A table on the back of the TERPs chart provides a feet per nautical mile to feet per minute conversion chart.
• Allows pilots to quickly determine required climb rate without manual calculations.

Visual Climb Over Airport (VCOA)

• Used when unable to comply with standard climb gradient.
• Pilot must have at least $4,200$ foot ceilings with three miles visibility.
• Pilot performs circling climbs within three miles of the airport until joining the departure procedure.

Full Departure Example

• Departure from Runway 21:
  • Turn to 250 heading.
  • Intercept the 221 radial.
  • Fly towards the Eman Intersection.
  • Climb in the holding pattern at Eman until reaching the assigned altitude.

SIDs

• More complex than ODPs.
• Include airport name, departure name, frequencies, a pictorial description, departure takeoff minimums, all applicable notes, chart dates, and a textual description.
• May include lost communication procedures.

En Route Procedures Overview

• Analogy: Departure procedures are like the entry ramp to a highway, en route procedures are the highway itself.

IFR Cruising Altitudes

• In controlled airspace, maintain altitudes assigned by ATC.
• In uncontrolled airspace, maintain appropriate cruising altitudes.
  • Magnetic course 000-179: Odd thousands
  • Magnetic course 180-359: Even thousands

En Route Charts

• Low en route charts: Altitudes below 18,000 feet MSL
• High en route charts: Altitudes at or above 18,000 feet MSL
• FAA Aeronautical Chart User Guide provides assistance with graphics and symbols.

Chart Symbols:

• Class Bravo Airspace: Highlighted sections (not full rings)
• Airports: Target symbols
  • No color: No IFR approaches
  • Green: IFR approaches available
  • Blue: Military airports
• VOR DMEs: Octagon with a box around them.
• VORTAC: Octagon with bold bars on three sides
• Victor Airway: Lined, numbered with a "V" followed by numbers (e.g., V32)
• Segment Distance: Half circle with a number (distance between fixes)
• Changeover Points: Half circle with numbers indicating altitude changes
• Total Route Distance: Box with a number (distance for the entire route)
• GPS Waypoints: Circle with a star shape
• Restricted Areas: Fenced area.
• Published Hold: Hold depicted on the chart.
• Center Frequency: Squiggly box with frequency information.

En Route Procedures Altitudes

• Minimum En Route Altitude (MEA):

  • Guarantees obstacle clearance and navigational coverage.
  • Obstacle clearance: $1,000$ feet in non-mountainous areas, $2,000$ feet in mountainous areas.

• Minimum Obstacle Clearance Altitude (MOCA):

  • Guarantees obstacle clearance and navigational coverage within 22 nautical miles of each VOR.
  • Obstacle clearance: $1,000$ feet in non-mountainous areas, $2,000$ feet in mountainous areas.

• Maximum Authorized Altitude (MAA):

• Established for multiple reasons, can help an aircraft below certain approach paths, so the aircraft isn't accidentally establishing a connection with 2 VOR of the same frequency.

• Minimum Reception Altitude (MRA):
  Set altitude for pilots to pick up VR.

  • Pilots looking to identify certain waypoints using crossing radios from the off route VOR.
  • Example: At 4,000 feet at this fix, you should be able to receive VOR DME

• Minimum Crossing Altitude (MCA):
  Need crossing restrictions.
  MCA are directional flight specifics.

  • Established for pilots to meet crossing restrictions and clear terrain.
    Off Route Obstacle Clearance Altitude

Off Route Obstruction Clearance Altitude OROCA

Provides terrain clearance to pilots not flying Victor Airways.

*Will be a depicted altitude for each section that the pilot must remain above to guarantee obstruction clearance.

• Off Route Obstacle Clearance Altitude (OROCA):
  *This equates to 1000 foot clearance in non mountainous areas and 2000 foot clearance in mountainous areas. * So those 2 clearances deal with everything that we're talking about.* These numbers seem familiar* they sound like VFR Obstacle Clearance** the numbers that said on those charts.
  Same Concept Right*

Fly By Waypoints

Pilot can cut the corners.

• Pilot may cut corners and doesn't need to cross the waypoint before changing course.
  *Fly over waypoints the way point before making one change direction.

Change of Report Points

Three times a pilot would switch from tracking one VOR to the next:

*If

• No Depicted Changeover Point:
  We should receive switch from tracking to the next to a half ways point.
• Depicted Change of Report Point:
  Is the some bigtor airways report.
• Bend in the airway, these are depicted with an x when necessary.

Compulsory and Noncompulsory points.

Position needs based on ATC

• Compulsory Report (Mandatory):
  If mandatory for pilots to make position report to ATC when crossing these points are not in radar control.
• Non Compulsory Reports: Not Mandatory.*

Position Reports do not need to make positions unless aATC asks to do so.*

If there are triangles they have compulsory point. If it fills it's mandatory

Cruise Clearance Example

• ATC may issue a pilot a cruise clearance during an en route portion of the flight.
  We can say Cruise 10,000 feet.*
  The pilot may climbs the sand and level any altitude it between the minimum IFR altitude, and they all stated altitude in the Clearance.
  *The pilot will not need to request procedure and here clear for a procedure from ATC. * If a pilot leaves you can return back to the altitude of the altitude.* Have been locked during the dissent, you may not return to about it to without aTC Clearance*

VFR on Top Procedures.

I clearance granted to a pilot has flown if our through a layer of clouds and then VFR on top of lighter clothes. Pilot responsible is while VFR on top, you are responsible, we are clear from all other traffic*

Maintain the route of flight. minimum IFR altitude

Comply

Comply BFR visibility in cloud clearance requirementsacceptable class of airspace.* VFR Never is class never advise aTC of any altitude changes If are clearance can go through the clouds. now you're VFR on top.

ATC Reporting Procedures

Is this will be on the test this will be on your oral, and it's very long *
This is very important

MATH CALS -- ATC Reporting

Remember This is all about the ATC reporting.

M - Missed approach
A - Altitude change when VFR on top
T - True airspeed change of plus or minus 10 knots or 5%
H - Holding time and altitude reaching an assigned minimum altitude
C - Cannot maintain $500$ feet per minute climb or descent
A - Arrival at clearance limit
L - Leaving assigned altitude
S - Safety of flight or lost comms or NAV equipment

• This is all while having radar contact only. Otherwise, the pilot is subject to the following.

• They will be required to make the following reports addition to MATH CALS.

• Depicted compulsory reporting points.

• Inbound at final approach fix

• Inbound at the outer marker

• ETA difference over 3 minutes

Arrival Procedures Chart (STARs)

Standard Terminal Arrival

• Used to safely navigate IFR aircraft from en route structure to approach and landing.
• STARs are the exits off the highway (en route structure).