VFR Departure from Controlled Airport

[knro]

Today, I requested VFR departure eastbound, and once I reached the runway, the tower controller cleared me for takeoff, but without specyfing departure method (i.e. right crosswind, straight out departure..etc). Is this OK? Am I to assume I can choose whatever departure method I find suitable for me in this instance, if the controller didn't specify any?

[Ryan B]

Yep you go on course unless they assign something

[knro]

Thanks for the response. Another question, though quiet different. Say I am flying VFR and approaching a class C airspace and I established communications including intentions to land at a specific airport, I listen to the ATIS and find the winds favor, say, runways 26L or 26R, can I ask the approach if I can fly the RNAV (GPS) approach for runway 26R (and my airplane is certified to fly GPS approaches)? Or is this the tower's responsibility? I guess more importantly is, can I opt to do this as a VFR pilot for the sake of the instrument landing training in VFR conditions for example?

[Anthony Santanastaso]

You can request to do a practice approach and it would be handled by the radar controller (e.g., SoCal Approach).

[knro]

Thanks for the response! That's pretty clear. One final question (I hope), is that in smaller towered airports, after landing, is it _mandotary_ to contact ground once you are clear off the runway for Taxing? What if there is only one runway and one huge parking space just ahead of you?

[Marcus Becker]

No matter the size of the airport, when departing a runway stay with the tower controller until told otherwise.

[knro]

Once I clear the runway, do I have to inform the tower that I am clear of the runway? I guess this means I cannot switch to ground frequency unless explicitly stated by tower?

[Anthony Santanastaso]

Once I clear the runway, do I have to inform the tower that I am clear of the runway? I guess this means I cannot switch to ground frequency unless explicitly stated by tower?

Correct; you must stay with tower until which time you are told to contact ground.

There are only two circumstances that you can switch frequencies on your own: when holding short of the active runway ready for departure and when departing a Class D airport under visual flight rules (VFR). You can switch to tower frequency automatically from ground and you can switch to another frequency than tower when departing the Class D airspace. Under both circumstances, you do not need to be told to contact another controller or that frequency change is approved.

[Kyle.Sanders]

There are only two circumstances that you can switch frequencies on your own: when holding short of the active runway ready for departure and when departing a Class D airport under visual flight rules (VFR). You can switch to tower frequency automatically from ground and you can switch to another frequency than tower when departing the Class D airspace. Under both circumstances, you do not need to be told to contact another controller or that frequency change is approved.

I have looked in the AIM, FAR and 7110... I know this is true but I cannot find where... Mind helping me out with a reference section please?

[Peter Grey]

You won't find a direct reference to this, but if you understand how regulations work here is the proof.

Regulations are prohibitive in nature not permissive. Meaning that a regulation generally tells you what you can't do, not what you can do (think big picture not little picture), aka. "You can't fly an airplane unless you do all of this stuff..."

You'll find no regulation saying you can't fly where you want VFR after departure if ATC hasn't given you a restriction, therefore it's ok to do.