Definition
Published charts that depict preplanned instrument flight rules (IFR) departure routes from an airport, providing pilots with a standardized way to transition from the runway environment to the en route structure. They include obstacle clearance information, initial headings, altitudes to cross or maintain, communication frequencies, and navigation guidance. DP charts come in two forms: Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODPs), which provide obstacle clearance, and Standard Instrument Departures (SIDs), which serve both obstacle clearance and air traffic control flow needs.
Plain English
These are printed or digital charts that show pilots a safe, pre-designed route to fly out of an airport when flying on instruments. They tell the pilot which way to go, how high to climb, and how to stay clear of terrain and obstacles after takeoff.
Context Anchor
Pilots encounter these charts during preflight planning, when receiving an instrument clearance, and before takeoff when briefing how the aircraft will leave the airport.
Derivation
‘Departure’ comes from the Latin ‘partire’ meaning ‘to divide or separate’ — leaving a place. ‘Procedure’ comes from the Latin ‘procedere’ meaning ‘to go forward.’ Together the term describes a structured, step-by-step way to go forward from the airport into the en route environment.
Why Pilots Care
They provide standardized paths that guarantee obstacle clearance and orderly traffic flow when visibility or cloud cover prevents visual navigation.
Intuition Check
Do not assume this is just a map of the airport. A DP chart is a set of departure instructions for how to fly away from the airport and connect with the rest of the flight route.
Example Sentence 1
Before takeoff from a mountainous airport, the pilot reviewed the DP chart to confirm the required climb gradient and initial heading.
Example Sentence 2
The crew consulted the Instrument Departure Procedure (DP) Charts to verify the required climb gradient after receiving their clearance.