EXDAC
24th Mar 2023, 15:44
My base airport (USA) has closely spaced parallel runways. Tower often gives takeoff clearance including "fly straight out". A revised clearance will be given later when clear of traffic.
I assume that when the tower instucts "straight out" they intend the aircraft to track the runway extended center line. However, I cannot find the definition of "straight out" in any aeronautical publication. Is this a legitimate ATC instruction? If so, where is it defined?
The instruction "fly runway heading" is well defined and specifically does not require a heading offset to compensate for any crosswind. The aircraft should maintain the exact runway heading and the aircraft will drift away from the extended center line if there is any crosswind.
Tracking runway extended center line is easy enough on approach but not so easy with the runway out of sight behind the aircraft. The heading correction that worked over the runway may be hopelessly inadequate if climbing though a strong wind gradient. If "straight out" is a legitmate instruction how should it be flown in a aircraft that does not have a track display?
I assume that when the tower instucts "straight out" they intend the aircraft to track the runway extended center line. However, I cannot find the definition of "straight out" in any aeronautical publication. Is this a legitimate ATC instruction? If so, where is it defined?
The instruction "fly runway heading" is well defined and specifically does not require a heading offset to compensate for any crosswind. The aircraft should maintain the exact runway heading and the aircraft will drift away from the extended center line if there is any crosswind.
Tracking runway extended center line is easy enough on approach but not so easy with the runway out of sight behind the aircraft. The heading correction that worked over the runway may be hopelessly inadequate if climbing though a strong wind gradient. If "straight out" is a legitmate instruction how should it be flown in a aircraft that does not have a track display?