Definition
An Obstacle Departure Procedure that is published in chart form rather than as a text-only narrative. A graphic ODP shows the departure routing, altitudes, headings, and obstacle-avoidance instructions on a dedicated chart, and is identified by the word '(OBSTACLE)' in the procedure title.
Plain English
It is a departure procedure designed to keep you clear of obstacles after takeoff, drawn out on a chart instead of written as a paragraph of instructions.
Context Anchor
Seen during instrument preflight planning and on published departure procedure charts for airports that need a charted obstacle-clearance departure path.
Derivation
Graphic' comes from the Greek 'graphikos' meaning 'drawn' or 'written'. Here it signals that the procedure is presented visually as a chart, distinguishing it from the older text-only ODP format.
Why Pilots Care
Gives pilots a clear visual path for safe departure when a textual description would be harder to follow.
Intuition Check
Graphic does not mean decorative or optional here. It means the obstacle departure procedure is shown as a charted picture instead of only written instructions.
Example Sentence 1
Because the terrain east of the field is steep, the FAA published a graphic ODP for Runway 9 instead of a textual one.
Example Sentence 2
For this airport the graphic ODP provides a precise visual route that avoids rising terrain to the east.