Definition
A note published on an instrument departure procedure chart that identifies obstacles located within one nautical mile of the departure end of the runway that penetrate the standard 40:1 obstacle clearance surface but are too close to the runway to be considered when establishing the published climb gradient. The note specifies the obstacle, its height above the runway, and its location, leaving it to the pilot to determine how to avoid it.
Plain English
A warning printed on a departure chart telling the pilot about an obstacle very near the end of the runway that the standard departure climb does not protect against. The pilot must see and avoid it themselves.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument departure planning, especially when reviewing takeoff minimums and obstacle departure procedures before an IFR departure.
Derivation
Close-in' simply means 'near' — within one nautical mile of the runway end. The phrase exists because these obstacles are too close to the runway to be factored into the normal climb gradient calculation, so they get their own separate note.
Why Pilots Care
Allows the pilot to apply the correct climb performance immediately after liftoff instead of discovering an obstacle too late.
Grounding Statement
Before takeoff, the note tells you what nearby objects could be in your path as the airplane starts climbing away from the runway.
Intuition Check
Do not read “note” as a casual comment here. A close-in obstacles note is operational information about real objects near the runway that may affect the initial climb.
Example Sentence 1
Before departing runway 27, the pilot reviewed the close-in obstacles note and confirmed the tower 0.5 NM off the departure end would be visible and easy to avoid in day VFR conditions.
Example Sentence 2
Reviewing the close-in obstacles note before departure confirmed that no extra climb adjustment was needed for our aircraft.