Definition
A published instrument departure procedure shown on an FAA chart, providing a specific route, altitudes, and climb requirements that a pilot can fly to transition safely from the airport environment into the en route structure under IFR.
Plain English
A printed, official takeoff route that tells the pilot exactly which way to go, how high to climb, and what altitudes to meet after departing an airport in instrument conditions.
Context Anchor
Seen during helicopter IFR takeoff planning, especially when reviewing takeoff minimums and obstacle-clearance instructions before departure.
Derivation
Charted' simply means 'shown on a published chart.' The phrase signals that the departure is not improvised or controller-assigned on the spot, but drawn out and printed in advance for any pilot to use.
Why Pilots Care
Following the published route ensures obstacle clearance and compliance with IFR takeoff minimums.
Intuition Check
Do not read “charted departure” as any departure route you happen to mark on a chart. Here it means an official published IFR departure procedure that pilots are expected to follow when using it.
Example Sentence 1
Because the airport sits in a valley with rising terrain to the north, the crew elected to fly the charted departure to ensure obstacle clearance after takeoff.
Example Sentence 2
After takeoff the helicopter followed the charted departure to reach the enroute airway safely.