Definition
An Adapted Departure Route is a preplanned departure route stored in the air traffic control computer system, used to move departing aircraft from the departure airport into the en route structure. ADRs are loaded into the system in advance so controllers can release IFR departures quickly and consistently without building a route from scratch each time.
Plain English
It is a ready-made departure path that ATC keeps on file. When a flight is about to depart, the controller can use this stored route to send the aircraft on its way along an approved track toward its planned route of flight.
Context Anchor
You may see this term in FAA glossary material, air traffic control automation discussions, or route-processing information rather than on a normal cockpit checklist.
Derivation
"Adapted" here means "customised and stored in the local ATC computer system" — not "changed on the fly." The route has been adapted (set up) ahead of time for that facility's airspace.
Why Pilots Care
Pilots may receive an ADR in place of their filed departure route, which can affect climb gradients, fuel planning, and navigation setup.
Intuition Check
Do not read “adapted” as meaning the pilot changed the route in flight. Here it means the route was already configured in the air traffic control system for departures.
Example Sentence 1
The clearance delivery controller issued an IFR clearance built from the facility's adapted departure route for eastbound traffic.
Example Sentence 2
Before takeoff the dispatcher advised that an adapted departure route was active and updated the flight plan accordingly.