Page 1 of 1

Class D Airport Departure Procedure Question

Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2019 5:48 pm
by ebouchard566
I just completed a KSBP to KL88 flight. Note I did not ask for flight following.
1) Part of the clearance to T/O RWY 29 by the tower, the controller issued an instructions I am not sure to have understood. It sounded like "clear left turn following take off". I proceeded like a left downwind leg departure procedure at an uncontrolled airport and everything appeared to be fine. Was it ?

2) The clearance to T/O was the last instruction I received from the controller. Should I report when I leave the circuit ? Should I report when 4 miles from the airport and outbound/leaving the control zone ?

Re: Class D Airport Departure Procedure Question

Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2019 6:11 pm
by Kevin_atc
1. Check out your recording at PilotEdge.net/audio to find out what was actually said

2. No need to report clear of the airspace unless specifically told to do so. You need to remain on tower frequency until clear of the airspace, then you can change freqs whenever you would like.

Re: Class D Airport Departure Procedure Question

Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2019 8:54 pm
by bbuckley
kevin meyers wrote:2. No need to report clear of the airspace unless specifically told to do so. You need to remain on tower frequency until clear of the airspace, then you can change freqs whenever you would like.
I realize OP said he was not receiving flight following, but if you do get FF on the ground at a class Delta, and you’re departing on a given squawk code, are you still supposed to switch on your own to departure once clear? I always wait until instructed in this case and request it if it seems the controller has gotten busy and I’m getting well out of the delta.

Re: Class D Airport Departure Procedure Question

Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2019 6:51 am
by Kevin_atc
bbuckley wrote:
kevin meyers wrote:2. No need to report clear of the airspace unless specifically told to do so. You need to remain on tower frequency until clear of the airspace, then you can change freqs whenever you would like.
I realize OP said he was not receiving flight following, but if you do get FF on the ground at a class Delta, and you’re departing on a given squawk code, are you still supposed to switch on your own to departure once clear? I always wait until instructed in this case and request it if it seems the controller has gotten busy and I’m getting well out of the delta.
Never switch to departure on your own. If you feel as though the controller may have forgotten about you, just inquire with them.

Re: Class D Airport Departure Procedure Question

Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2019 7:09 am
by bbuckley
Thanks Kevin, that's what I thought and have been doing.