Definition
The published weather and visibility requirements that must be met before an instrument flight may depart from a specific airport, as shown on the FAA's instrument departure procedure chart for that airport. These minima specify the lowest ceiling and visibility values authorized for takeoff, and may also include required climb gradients, obstacle notes, or alternate takeoff procedures.
Plain English
The lowest weather conditions you are allowed to take off in from a particular airport, printed right on the official departure chart for that airport.
Context Anchor
Seen when checking FAA instrument charts or procedure publications before an IFR takeoff, including helicopter IFR departures.
Derivation
Charted means printed on an official aeronautical chart. Minima is the plural of minimum, from Latin minimus meaning 'smallest.' Together: the smallest acceptable conditions, as published on the chart.
Why Pilots Care
They give the pilot a clear, chart-specific weather floor so the departure can be flown without losing visual reference during the initial climb.
Grounding Statement
Before lifting off, the pilot compares the current reported weather with the values printed for that departure.
Intuition Check
Do not read charted departure minima as a personal comfort level or a best guess. In this context, charted means officially published, and minima means the lowest values allowed for that departure.
Example Sentence 1
Before filing, she checked the charted departure minima for the airport and confirmed the ceiling and visibility were above the published values.
Example Sentence 2
With visibility below the charted departure minima, the helicopter remained on the ground until conditions improved.