Removal of Takeoff Obstacle Notes from Instrument Departure Charts

Aug 17, 2017

Upcoming Change to takeoff Obstacle Charting on Departure Procedures

Subject: Removal of Takeoff Obstacle Notes from U.S. Government Standard Instrument Departure (SID) Charts.

Purpose: To provide operators with information regarding a change to charting of takeoff obstacles on SID charts produced by the U.S. government

Discussion: Previous Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) policy required a description of the general location and height of takeoff obstacles on SIDs. Beginning August 17 2017, the FAA will begin the process of removing takeoff obstacle information from SID charts published within the U.S. Terminal Procedures Publication (TPP).

The goal of this change is to reduce chart clutter on the graphic depiction of the SID, while eliminating the duplication of obstacle information which is already charted elsewhere within the TPP. If a departure airport has an entry within the IFR Takeoff Minimums, Departure Procedures, and Diverse Vector Area (Radar Vectors) section of a TPP, then every SID for that airport will be annotated with a negative T symbol: This symbol indicates the chart user should refer to the IFR Takeoff Minimums, Departure Procedures, and Diverse Vector Area (Radar Vectors) section for information that may be relevant to the departure planning process. If takeoff obstacles exist, then they will be listed within this section and highlighted by the term, "Takeoff Obstacle Notes".

While implementation of this charting standard is set to begin in August 2017, due to the sheer volume of charts which need to be updated, the removal of takeoff obstacles from all SIDs will occur over several chart cycles, therefore chart users must be familiar with both the older charting standard (takeoff obstacles listed on each SID) and the new charting standard (takeoff obstacles removed from SID).

Recommended Action: Operators of aircraft, directors of safety, directors of operations, chief pilots, dispatch supervisors, fractional ownership program managers and training managers should ensure pilots are aware of this change to SID charting and inquire if there is any confusion regarding the relocation of this information or the publication of takeoff obstacles in the front matter of the TPP. Operators should become familiar with this change, while continuing to safely utilize this information in departure planning and daily flight operations.

For additional information, please review 17−03 TERM Charting Notice, effective August 17, 2017.

Contact: Questions or comments regarding this subject should be directed to the Flight Operations Branch, AFS−410 at 202−267−9009.