BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE AIR FORCE ...

214
AFMAN 11-217V1 3 JANUARY 2005
does not meet the specified climb gradient. VCOAs are developed only when the
obstacle(s) are more than 3 sm from the DER and require more than a 200 ft/nm climb
gradient. USAF aircrews are authorized to depart IFR using a published VCOA.
9.11.1.1. VCOAs will be annotated in the front of the IAP book with the other ODPs
and will include the verbiage, “climb in visual conditions.” A VCOA will specify an
altitude to climb to and may specify a direction of flight and/or a routing.
9.11.1.2. The standard airspeed for development of a VCOA is 250 KIAS unless
otherwise annotated on the procedure. Designed bank angle is 23°. 30° of bank is
recommended when flying the VCOA.
9.11.1.3. The radius of the visual climb area evaluated for obstacles is called the
visual climb area (VCA). Use Table 9.2 below to determine the radius of the VCA
based on the “climb to” altitude specified in the procedure. For altitudes between
those listed, use the next lower altitude. For example, if the “climb to” altitude is
4500, use the 2000’ column.
9.11.1.3.1. All values used in calculating the visual climb area for VCOA are
measured from the airport reference point (ARP), which is normally the
geographic center of the airport.
Table 9.2. Radius of Visual Climb Area from Airport Reference Point.
SPEED KIAS 2,000 FEET 5,000 FEET 10,000 FEET
90 2.0 2.0 2.0
120 2.0 2.0 2.0
180 2.0 2.0 2.5
210 2.1 2.5 3.2
250 2.8 3.4 4.2
310 4.2 4.9 6.0
350 5.2 6.0 7.3
9.11.1.3.1.1. NOTE: Speeds in Table 9.2 include 30-knot tailwinds up to
2000 MSL, 45-knot tailwinds up to 5000 MSL, and 60-knot tailwinds at
10,000 MSL.
9.11.2. The height of the VCA is determined by identifying the highest obstacle within
the VCA. The TERPS specialist will then identify a 40:1 OCS from the edge of the VCA
up to the IFR MEA. If this 40:1 surface is penetrated, the height of the VCA will be
raised above that obstacle(s). The “climb to” altitude will be determined by adding a
ROC to the highest obstacle and rounding up to the next 100-foot increment.
9.11.2.1. If there are numerous significant obstacles penetrating the 40:1 surface that
would cause the VCA to be raised to an unacceptably high altitude, the TERPS
specialist can also publish a minimum climb gradient in conjunction with the “climb
to” altitude. This climb gradient only applies outside the VCA.