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3 Answers

Leaving a class C airport without a destination

Asked by: 1043 views Airspace

Hi, My question is if at a class C airport and you just want to depart to the northwest without a destination such as an airport how would you ask for that from clearance delivery?

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3 Answers

  1. Best Answer


    John D Collins on Oct 10, 2022

    You don’t need a clearance to operate out of a Class C airport other than for flight in the traffic pattern and while flying an arrival/departure procedure. You need to also comply with the procedures for a towered airport (91.129). You need to remain in radio contact with ATC while inside the class C airspace and follow any ATC directions, but there is no requirement to provide a destination. So you make the direct request such as: “N12345 requests a VFR departure to the northwest at 3500 feet.”

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  2. mckade912 on Oct 10, 2022

    Thanks so much Mr.Collins. I appreciate your answer. I also really appreciate that you gave reference and an example. You are a treasure to the aviation community.

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  3. Mark Kolber on Oct 11, 2022

    “Clearance Delivery, Cessna 1234X. VFR departure to the northeast.”

    True, one does not require a “clearance” in Class C. But the 2-way communication requirement for departure at most Class C airports is accomplished by calling CD for departure instructions.

    Although not one, except for not hearing the words “clearance,” Class C departure instructions sound to and even take the same form as an IFR clearance – direction, altitude, departure frequency, and squawk code.

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