Definition
Obstacle Departure Procedures published as a charted graphic rather than as a text-only narrative. A graphic ODP shows the departure routing, altitudes, climb requirements, and any obstacle-avoidance instructions on a dedicated chart page, and is identified in the chart title by the suffix '(OBSTACLE)' after the procedure name.
Plain English
An ODP that comes as a picture-style chart instead of just a paragraph of text. It shows the departure path, altitudes, and required climb rates on a single page so the pilot can see exactly how to get out of the airport area while staying clear of obstacles.
Context Anchor
Seen in IFR departure planning and in FAA terminal procedure publications when an obstacle departure route is easier to understand as a chart than as text alone.
Derivation
Graphic' comes from the Greek 'graphikos', meaning 'drawn' or 'depicted'. It signals that this version of the ODP is presented visually on a chart rather than written out as text. The contrast is with 'textual ODPs', which appear only as written instructions in the front of the procedure book.
Why Pilots Care
They provide a clear visual path that guarantees obstacle clearance when departing in instrument conditions or at night.
Intuition Check
Graphic does not mean decorative or just helpful artwork here. It means the departure procedure is shown as a charted drawing, and the information on it is operationally important.
Example Sentence 1
Because the terrain south of the field is steep, the FAA publishes a graphic ODP for that runway rather than a textual one.
Example Sentence 2
When the textual ODP was complex, the crew chose the graphic ODP for easier visualization during departure.