When to turn on course?

[MikeD]

Thank you for clarifying this. I expected that you would always receive instructions to fly the DP in the clearance. So, in the future I suppose it would be a good idea to tell the tower or center that you are flying it? Also, lets say your airplane is not capable of meeting the climb gradient in a given ODP. If you were taking off out of a controlled field in IMC, could you simply request to circle to altitude over the airport? Thanks for everyone's input.

It wouldn't hurt to tell tower if you want, they're probably already expecting that anyway. I suppose if you couldn't make the climb gradient, that'd be one method of departing, but in the FLG area, there are many cumulogranite in the area waiting to bite you; and the altitude and at times, density altitude, don't help if you're already having climb gradient difficulties.

 

[wheelsup]

If you're IMC how would you circle the airport?

If you can't make the climb gradient I wouldn't depart in IMC. There is no way to guarantee not hitting anything at that point.

 

[MikeD]

If you're IMC how would you circle the airport?

If you can't make the climb gradient I wouldn't depart in IMC. There is no way to guarantee not hitting anything at that point.

Thats true. I was thinking more night VMC.....ie- you can see the field, but the bogey man still looms out there.