Takeoff Minimums
Takeoff minimums established safety margins for departures from the terminal environment when instrument meteorological conditions exist.
Introduction
- Takeoff minimums provide a margin of safety
- Civil aviation minimums are dependent upon which part you operate
Civil VFR Takeoff Minimums
- Takeoff minimums under basic VFR are governed by FAR 91.155.
- In controlled airspace, a minimum ceiling of 1,000 feet AGL and visibility of 3 SM visibility is required.
- Once airborne, FAR 91.155 further provides cloud clearance requirements.
- Class A: not applicable.
- Class B: clear of clouds.
- Class C: 500 feet below, 1000 feet above, 2000 feet horizontal.
- Class D: 500 feet below, 1000 feet above, 2000 feet horizontal.
- Class E: 500 feet (or 1,000 if above 10k MSL), 1000 feet above, 2000 feet horizontal (or 1 SM if above 10k MSL).
- Recognize that in many locations, operating below 500 feet AGL is not permitted.
- Takeoff minimums under special VFR are governed by FAR 91.157.
- Special VFR does not establish a minimum ceiling, but requires 1 SM visibility.
Civil Takeoff Minimums
- For general aviation (part 91), there are no takeoff minimums and instead, good judgment should be applied
- A prudent pilot will look to maintain any published takeoff minimum and not takeoff unless they have the expected minimums to shoot an instrument approach back to the same airport (think of an emergency)
- If you are assigned an instrument departure that has published minimums, they you must at least meet those
- In fact, you are obligated to decline the departure if you cannot meet the performance requirements
- Part 121, 125, 129, and 135 operators must follow their requirements:
- Must meet the requirements of part 97, or if none are prescribed:
- For aircraft, other than helicopters, having 2 engines or less - 1 SM visibility
- For aircraft having more than two engines, 1/2 SM visibility
- For helicopters, 1/2 SM visibility
- No pilot may takeoff under IFR from a civil airport having a published obstacle departure under part 97 for the takeoff runway to be used, unless the pilot uses such ODPs or an alternative is assigned
- Must meet the requirements of part 97, or if none are prescribed:
- An inverted triangle with a capital letter "T" means a textual departure is located in the front of the IAPs indicates an ODP developed solely for obstacle avoidance [Figure 2]
- Review these before departure!
- If the pilot does not possess a DP or does not wish to use one, he/she is expected to advise ATC
- This may be accomplished by stating "NO DP" in the remarks section of the flight plan or by verbally advising ATC
Conclusion
- Pay attention to landing minimums before you worry about takeoff minimums
- Always make sure you can return to the airfield if you have an emergency
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