Scenario
You are the pilot in command of N34512R, a Cessna 172, holding short of Runway 30R at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport after requesting a “Home Depot departure.”
At KBJC, the “Home Depot departure” is a commonly used northbound VFR departure route from Runways 30R and 30L. Like many towered airports, KBJC uses named visual departure routes based on local landmarks to help organize traffic flow and maintain predictable separation between departing and arriving aircraft.
ATC Transmission
Listen to the transmission below, and readback the transmission as if you were the pilot.
ATC Transmission:
“Cessna Five One Two Romeo, Metro Tower, traffic three mile final Cessna, Runway Tree Zero Right, Home Depot departure, cleared for takeoff.”
Suggested Readback
“Runway Tree Zero Right, Home Depot departure, cleared for takeoff, Fife One Two Romeo.”
Key Learning Points
“Traffic three mile final Cessna” is a traffic advisory intended to increase situational awareness before departure; since it is not an instruction or clearance, it typically does not need to be included in the readback, though pilots may optionally acknowledge with “looking” or “traffic in sight” if appropriate.
“Home Depot departure” refers to a standard northbound VFR departure route from KBJC.
“Cleared for takeoff” is the required takeoff clearance at a towered airport.
A concise readback should typically include:
- runway assignment
- departure instruction
- takeoff clearance
- callsign
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