Navigating a Visual Climb above an Airport under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR Visual Climb Over Airport, or VCOA)

In Bishop, California, the airport at KBIH requires a specific procedure for IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) takeoffs called a Visual Climb Over Airport (VCOA). This departure method is designed for situations where maintaining the required climb gradient is not safe, or when the airport's surrounding terrain is challenging.

Conditions for Using VCOA

The VCOA is used when the published Obstacle Departure Procedure (ODP) requires a climb gradient that the airplane cannot safely maintain right after takeoff. It also comes into play when the pilot needs to "buy time and altitude" by climbing visually above the airport, allowing clearance of distant obstacles before continuing on the route.

Pilots must obtain Air Traffic Control (ATC) approval for a VCOA when requesting IFR clearance from the airport. This procedure is generally applied at airports with challenging terrain or obstacle environments where immediate departure courses are unsafe without gaining altitude first.

VCOA at KBIH

At KBIH, the VCOA for all runways requires a climb in visual conditions to cross the airport at or above 13,000 feet MSL before proceeding on course. The winds at KBIH are out of 300 degrees at 25 knots, and the airport is surrounded by mountains reaching over 13,000 feet in elevation.

To take off from Runway 30 at KBIH using the VCOA, a visibility of 3 miles and a ceiling of 9,000 feet is required. Since the airport is at an elevation of 4,124 feet MSL, when the ceiling of 9,000 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) is added, the required altitude for the VCOA becomes 13,124 feet.

Before departing using a VCOA, pilots must request the VCOA from ATC during their IFR clearance. Once the VCOA's minimum altitude and crossing point are reached, the aircraft must be able to continue its climb at a standard 200 feet per nautical mile all the way to the Minimum Enroute Altitude (MEA) along the IFR route (unless specified otherwise).

Safety Measures

The FAA adds an extra 250 feet of safety margin between the top altitude of the VCOA departure and surrounding terrain to ensure safe separation. Pilots are responsible for maintaining obstacle clearance if they choose to climb in visual conditions instead of following a Departure Procedure (DP) or flying with increased takeoff minima.

VCOAs are not commonly used, which might make ATC unfamiliar with the procedure, necessitating specific requests from pilots. Failure to request a VCOA from ATC could result in ATC unexpectedly finding the aircraft circling the airport on an IFR clearance.

In essence, the VCOA at KBIH allows for a safer IFR departure method when obstacle clearance requires a climb gradient that cannot be met on a straight-out departure, enabling the pilot to circle visually over the airport to gain altitude before flying the assigned route.

At KBIH airport, the FAA mandates a Visual Climb Over Airport (VCOA) for IFR takeoffs in cases where the published Obstacle Departure Procedure (ODP) requires a climb gradient that the aircraft cannot maintain.
When pilots request IFR clearance from KBIH, they must obtain Air Traffic Control (ATC) approval for a VCOA if the airport's surrounding terrain is challenging or immediate departure courses are unsafe without gaining altitude.
The VCOA for all runways at KBIH requires a climb in visual conditions to cross the airport at or above 13,000 feet MSL before proceeding on course.
To take off from Runway 30 at KBIH using the VCOA, a visibility of 3 miles and a ceiling of 9,000 feet is required, raising the required altitude to 13,124 feet.
Before departing using a VCOA, pilots must request the VCOA from ATC during their IFR clearance and maintain obstacle clearance if they choose to climb visually instead of following a Departure Procedure (DP).
In cases of VCOA, the FAA adds an extra 250 feet of safety margin between the top altitude of the VCOA departure and surrounding terrain to ensure safe separation.
Failure to request a VCOA from ATC could result in ATC unexpectedly finding the aircraft circling the airport on an IFR clearance, making ATC unfamiliarity with the procedure a potential issue.
VCOAs are not commonly used in the aerospace industry, making training, procedures, finance, education-and-self-development, and learning about this departure method crucial for pilots.
The purpose of the VCOA is to provide a safer IFR departure method when obstacle clearance requires a climb gradient that cannot be met on a straight-out departure, enabling the pilot to circle visually over the airport to gain altitude before flying the assigned route.
Weather conditions can affect the VCOA, particularly at KBIH where winds are out of 300 degrees at 25 knots, and the airport is surrounded by mountains reaching over 13,000 feet in elevation.
Instrument technology plays a crucial role in the VCOA, allowing pilots to navigate and maintain their aircraft's position while climbing visually above the airport and clearing distant obstacles.