Definition
A coordination procedure in which the air traffic facility responsible for departing an aircraft must contact the relevant traffic flow management unit (such as a Center or the Air Traffic Control System Command Center) to obtain a release time before that aircraft can depart. CFR is used when traffic management restrictions require precise sequencing of departures into the en route system.
Plain English
Before letting the aircraft take off, the controller has to phone or message another facility and ask, 'Can I release this one now?' The aircraft cannot depart until that approval comes back with a specific release time.
Context Anchor
You may hear or see this during departure planning, especially when traffic flow is being managed or when a controlled departure must be coordinated before takeoff.
Why Pilots Care
It prevents uncontrolled departures that could create airborne congestion, ensures the pilot receives an assigned departure window when required, and keeps the flight on schedule without unnecessary ground holds.
Intuition Check
CFR here does not mean Code of Federal Regulations. In this context, release means air traffic control approval to let a specific flight depart, not a paperwork release or a general permission to fly.
Example Sentence 1
Ground informed us our departure was on a Call for Release, so we held short until the tower coordinated a release time with Center.
Example Sentence 2
With traffic management in effect, the dispatcher obtained the call for release and relayed the EDCT to the crew.