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1 Answers

Cleared for takeoff “on course”

Asked by: 2948 views FAA Regulations

Yesterday, while holding short at runway 5, I advised I was ready for takeoff and requested departure to the south. The tower responded, "Clear for takeoff runway 5 on course." Does this clearance give me authority to turn out - left or right - at my discretion?

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1 Answers



  1. Skyfox on Apr 11, 2016

    The way I’ve always interpreted it, the instruction “[proceed] on course” refers to what you do after leaving the airport traffic pattern. This means they aren’t giving you extra instructions to follow vectors or VOR radials before taking a route towards your destination (in the case of flying towards a practice area, the practice area is your destination) once you leave the pattern. Until you leave the traffic pattern you should follow all the usual procedures such as a standard left traffic pattern, unless otherwise indicated by the AFD or charts showing a right pattern for that runway or unless the tower tells you that a right turn southbound is approved. When no other traffic is approaching you could also do a straight out departure. And of course, when in doubt you can always ask ATC if you can make a right turn towards your route if that would save time in getting you away from the traffic pattern.

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