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

AFMAN 11-217V1 3 JANUARY 2005 215
Figure 9.18. Determination of “Climb To” Altitude.
9.11.3. A VCOA will have weather minimums associated with it. These are the
minimum requirements to execute the procedure. In the IAP, these minimums will be
annotated as “takeoff minimums”. Do not confuse these with non-standard takeoff
weather discussed elsewhere in this chapter. VCOA weather minimums do apply to
USAF aircrews. You can easily distinguish between the two, as a VCOA will always
have the text “climb in visual conditions” associated with the weather minimum. In
order to execute a VCOA, the weather must be at or above the published takeoff
minimums for the procedure. These weather minimums apply only to the VCOA and
not to other procedures at the airport.
9.11.3.1. The ceiling minimum associated with a VCOA will be the 100-foot
increment above the “climb to” altitude. Visibility minimums are determined based
on aircraft speed and the height of the “climb to” altitude.
9.11.4. Obstacles inside the VCA must be avoided visually. Remember the TERPS
specialist does not look for obstacles below the 40:1 OCS. Obstacles outside the VCA
will be avoided by maintaining a 200 ft/nm rate of climb from the edge of the VCA to the
IFR MEA or by following the published routing at 200 ft/nm and/or higher published
climb gradient to the IFR MEA.
9.11.5. VCOAs are typically published in locations where airspace and ATC
considerations will allow a spiraling departure over the airport. Some locations may have
other departures in addition to the VCOA and/or other ATC and airspace considerations
that may limit the practical use of the VCOA.
9.11.6. How to File a VCOA. VCOAs do not have names or coded identifiers to file.
There is no special annotation for filing a VCOA. Simply file your first point on the
route of flight. A technique is to put a statement in the remarks section of your flight