FAA Instrument Rating Airplane (IRA)IFR Procedures and ChartsEasy
A pilot receives an IFR clearance that does not include a departure procedure, and no ODP is charted for the departure airport. During preflight planning, the pilot notices rising terrain northeast of the airport. Which statement best describes the pilot's obligation regarding obstacle clearance during the initial climb?
- AATC guarantees obstacle clearance for all IFR departures regardless of terrain
- BThe pilot must request a special VFR departure to avoid the terrain
- CObstacle clearance is only a concern if the airport has a control tower
- DThe pilot is responsible for obstacle clearance until reaching the MEA, MOCA, or a published altitude, since no ODP exists
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. The pilot is responsible for obstacle clearance until reaching the MEA, MOCA, or a published altitude, since no ODP exists
When no ODP is published, pilots are still responsible for obstacle avoidance during climb-out until reaching an altitude where standard obstacle clearance criteria (MEA/MOCA/published route altitude) apply. ATC does not provide obstacle clearance for uncontrolled departures without a specified procedure.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. ATC clearance does not guarantee terrain clearance during departure absent radar vectors or a published procedure
- B. Special VFR is unrelated to IFR departure obstacle clearance
- C. Terrain clearance responsibility applies at towered and non-towered airports alike
Obstacle Departure Procedure (ODP) Responsibility
When no ODP or SID is issued, pilots remain responsible for obstacle clearance during departure until reaching the MEA, MOCA, or another altitude that guarantees standard clearance.
- ODPs are non-radar, obstacle-based procedures
- Pilots may fly an ODP without ATC clearance unless one is required by the chart
- Obstacle clearance responsibility rests with the pilot until reaching a safe charted altitude
Memory trick: No ODP? You own the sky until charted safety.