The FAA has revised the Teterboro, N.J., airport’s Dalton VFR departure by eliminating an altitude restriction after takeoff that made it difficult for some flights to comply. The change takes effect April 5.
The procedure, available when aircraft are departing on Teterboro’s Runway 19 and when aircraft are landing at Newark Liberty International Airport on Runway 29, is available by pilot request. It is not assigned by air traffic control.
Pilots may request the procedure by name when there is a ceiling of at least 3,000 feet with visibility of three miles or more. Aircraft may not exceed 190 knots airspeed, and must maintain VFR conditions at or below 1,300 feet msl. As of April 5, the departure will be amended to eliminate the requirement to fly the runway heading to 800 feet msl before commencing the right turn to 280 degrees.
The change should make the procedure, which is a valuable tool in reducing departure delays, simpler to fly and reduce pilot deviations, the FAA said.
A substantial number of flight crews have been unable to complete the turn within two nautical miles of the Teterboro VOR, with many flights averaging a 2.5-nm turn radius. However, during a test period, and since mounting an informational effort, there have been no reportable altitude deviations, the FAA said.
