FEATURE IDEA - Heading assigned takeoff clearances

[nathanwesthead2004]

Hi all,

Here is a feature idea that I feel would benefit traffic control for airports without SIDs. The idea of assigning headings to takeoff clearances. I can think of two separate scenarios where this would be useful:

1. Dep/Dep separation:

Chicago O’Hare Intl (KORD) often uses parallel runways for departures for its normal flow (namely 28C and 27L). Typical takeoff clearances could be “UAL1679, Fly heading 290 degrees, Runway 27L, Cleared for takeoff” and “AAL338, Fly heading 250 degrees, Runway 28C, Cleared for takeoff”. By turning the UAL northwest from the northern runway and turning the AAL southwest from the southern runway, we can ensure adequate separation between the departing aircraft before handing them to departure. Currently, as controllers, all we have is fly straight out to xxxxft - by giving 1000ft to one aircraft and 3000ft to another can, on occasion, be enough to ensure separation but that entirely depends on intended direction of flight.

2. Procedure separation:

When north flow is in effect for the New York region (JFK, LGA EWR etc), LGA uses 4 for arrivals, 13/31 for deps and JFK uses 4L for departures. Due to LGA being located due north of JFK, a heading of 070 is used for all departures from 4L at JFK to ensure separation from all LGA traffic using 13/31 and VFR traffic transiting the area between.

Departure Procedures (faa.gov) < 4-3-2c explains a little more about headings after departure.

This procedure is only permitted for airports without full SIDs that originate at the runway departure end. So this won’t be used at airports such as KLAX or KSFO as they have published RNAV SIDs but can be used at KJFK or KORD as previously mentioned.

In the event of no radar controller, the tower controller can issue a command similar to the progressive taxi command setup. For example, “resume own navigation” can be used before issuing “Frequency change approved” once separation is ensured.

PLEASE NOTE: Being only TL1, I cannot post with the features tag so it is here for the time being until I can post in features.

Let me know what you think about this idea below! Thanks for your time!

[CosmicLazar]

This could be a nice idea! I suggest making a post for this in Features, to get the opinion of others.

[Aceorbit]

NEED this in IF ASAP, the controllers do this at Grand Forks all the time for our IFR traffic since we don’t have SIDs/STARs.

[Mattchew]

Great topic! Just post in Features so we can vote on it!

[Mattchew]

Or since you are TL1 I would recommend waiting till you can post it in features.