Class C VFR Departure - When to make turn on course

[JeffK]

Scenario: VFR departure from SNA to the North (Towards KEMT)
-Clearance Delivery says remain at or below 2400 and heading will be 330
-You get taxi clearance to 19L
-Tower says cleared for takeoff 19L with no further instructions until the freq change.

Ok, so my questions are, when can you make your turn when you're still with tower? Is a right turn from 19L unacceptable due to cutting off 19R or is that non-issue if the tower didn't provide a heading? Should I be waiting for someone to give turn 330 or turn on course instructions or is that assumed from the clearance delivery instructions?

[Ryan B]

I assume you're getting flight following to EMT?

They probably forgot to specify direction of turn so in this case I'd clarify. Expect a right turn though because it's closer than a left turn and it wouldn't take you back over the airport.

As far as when you can turn - whenever you like - I wait for 400 AGL which is the IFR point where you can turn. The heading given by clearance is what you fly after takeoff.

[julio.elizalde]

Check the airport and facility directory for appropriate noise abatement procedures. Usually I make my turns at 500 feet, but sometimes you'll see higher in the AF/D to protect the folks living below the departure runway. Also, sometimes ATC will ask you to expedite sometimes for traffic.

Tower would call your turn to the assigned heading if there was a conflict with the other runway. It's assumed you'll turn as soon as it's safe.

[JeffK]

Thanks,
So assuming the clearance delivery and tower aren't the same person (I know that they can be), would the tower know that CD gave me that heading? It just seems like I might surprise the tower if I made my turn 400 ft after takeoff. For some reason, in my mind, I just imagine tower only really cares about getting you out of the immediate surface area and wouldn't really want people turning on course right after takeoff.

[Kevin_atc]

Everything is standardized and marked on your flight strip so, yes, tower knows.
And if the direction of the turn is ever not stated (ie. "Fly heading 330") you are expected to turn in the direction of which is closest to your new heading. As Ryan mentioned above, off of runways 19 at SNA (assume a 190 runway heading) it's a right turn since a right turn to 330 is shorter than a left turn in that case. You then need to maintain your restrictions (VFR AoB 2400 and heading 330) until further advised. Once you hear "resume own navigation" then you may navigate on your own.

[JeffK]

Got it, makes sense to me now.