Deparature Control

CHAPTER TWO

SNFO/SWSO VOICE COMMUNICATIONS

When cleared for takeoff, aircraft are expected to depart without delay. If a delay is anticipated

(greater than 30 seconds), Tower should be notified immediately in order to make pattern

adjustments or adjust landing clearances.

208. DEPARTURE CONTROL

Departure Control is responsible for ensuring safe separation between departing and arriving

aircraft when operating within Class B through C airspace, even if flying under a VFR clearance.

Air Traffic Control achieves this by radar tracking your transponder squawks.

Shortly after takeoff, you will switch to Departure when instructed by Tower. Ensure your call to

departure includes your altitude or the altitude that you are passing. The departure frequency is

not given and does not need to be repeated since it was given in your clearance. The purpose of

including the "passing" altitude is for the controller to verify proper functioning of your mode C

transponder. When contacting a new controller, the present altitude (whether level, climbing or

descending) should always be included in the initial call.

Example

TOWER:

"KATT 812 change to departure."

SNFO/SWSO:

"KATT 812 switching."

SNFO/SWSO:

"Pensacola Departure, KATT 812, airborne,

passing 800."

DEPARTURE:

"KATT 812, Pensacola Departure, radar contact."

SNFO/SWSO:

"KATT 812, roger."

Departure will expeditiously vector your aircraft out of Pensacola's class "C" airspace or expect

you to follow course rules. Pensacola's class "C" airspace includes 10 NM radii around NAS

Pensacola, Pensacola Regional, and NAS Whiting, including altitudes from the surface up to

4200 feet MSL.

When VFR and clear of departure's airspace you are clear to operate without restriction. Contact

Departure to inform them of this.

Example

SNFO/SWSO:

"Pensacola Departure, KATT 812, clear of class C."

DEPARTURE:

"KATT 812, squawk 1200, frequency change

approved."

SNFO/SWSO:

"KATT 812, wilco."

By squawking 1200, the controllers can no longer identify your aircraft from other VFR traffic

squawking 1200 (VFR). A good lookout doctrine now is paramount as you will no longer get

traffic advisories. A discrete transponder code is required for a controller to provide "flight

following."

2-10 GROUND AND VFR COMMUNICATIONS