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Departure Release, Hold for Release, Release Times, Departure Restrictions, and Clearance Void Times

JO 7110.65BB, Change 3, effective July 9, 2026 · Official text on faa.gov

Assign departure restrictions, clearance void times, or release times to separate departures from other traffic or to restrict or regulate the departure flow. Departures from an airport without an operating control tower must be issued either a departure release, a hold for release, or a release time.

Departure Release. When conditions allow, release the aircraft as soon as possible.
Phraseology

To another controller,
(aircraft identification) RELEASED.
To a flight service specialist, or Flight Data Communication Specialist (FDCS).
ADVISE (aircraft identification) RELEASED FOR DEPARTURE.
To a pilot at an airport without an operating control tower,
(aircraft identification) RELEASED FOR DEPARTURE.
Hold For Release (HFR).
1. “Hold for release” instructions must be used to inform a pilot or a controller that a departure clearance is not valid until additional instructions are received.
  Reference
  
  P/CG Term - Hold for Release.
2. When issuing hold for release instructions, include departure delay information.
  Phraseology
  
  (aircraft identification) HOLD FOR RELEASE, EXPECT (time in hours and/or minutes) DEPARTURE DELAY.
Release Times.
1. Release times must be issued to pilots when necessary to specify the earliest time an aircraft may depart.
  Note
  
  A release time is a departure restriction issued to a pilot (either directly or through authorized relay) to separate a departing aircraft from other traffic.
2. The facility issuing a release time to a pilot must issue a time check. A release time using a specified number of minutes does not require a time check.
  Phraseology
  
  (aircraft identification) RELEASED FOR DEPARTURE AT (time in hours and/or minutes),
  and if required,
  IF NOT OFF BY (time), ADVISE (facility) NOT LATER THAN (time) OF INTENTIONS.
  TIME (time in hours, minutes, and nearest quarter minute).
  (aircraft identification) RELEASED FOR DEPARTURE IN (number of minutes) MINUTES
  and if required,
  IF NOT OFF IN (number of minutes) MINUTES, ADVISE (facility) OF INTENTIONS WITHIN (number of minutes) MINUTES.
When expect departure clearance times (EDCT) are assigned through traffic management programs, excluding overriding call for release (CFR) operations as described in subparagraph e, the departure terminal must, to the extent possible, plan ground movement of aircraft destined to the affected airport(s) so that flights are sequencedto depart no earlier than 5 minutes before, and no later than 5 minutes after the EDCT. Do not release aircraft on their assigned EDCT if a ground stop (GS) applicable to that aircraft is in effect, unless approval has been received from the originator of the GS.
1. If an aircraft has begun to taxi or requests taxi in a manner consistent with meeting the EDCT, the aircraft must be released. Additional coordination is not required.
2. If an aircraft requests taxi or clearance for departure inconsistent with meeting the EDCT window, ask the pilot to verify the EDCT.
  1. If the pilot's EDCT is the same as the FAA EDCT, the aircraft is released consistent with the EDCT.
  2. If the pilot's EDCT is not the same as the FAA EDCT, refer to Trust and Verify note below.
3. If an aircraft requests taxi too late to meet the EDCT, contact the ATCSCC through the appropriate TMU.
  Note
  
  (Trust & Verify) EDCTs are revised by Air Carriers and Traffic Management for changing conditions en route or at affected airport(s). Terminal controllers' use of aircraft reported EDCT for departure sequencing should be verified with the appropriate TMU prior to departure if this can be accomplished without the aircraft incurring delay beyond the EDCT reported by the aircraft. The preferred method for verification is the Flight Schedule Monitor (FSM). If the EDCT cannot be verified without incurring additional delay, the aircraft should be released based on the pilot reported EDCT. The aircraft operator is responsible for operating in a manner consistent to meet the EDCT.
Call for Release (CFR). When CFR is in effect, release aircraft so they are airborne within a window that extends from 2 minutes prior and ends 1 minute after the assigned time, unless otherwise coordinated.
Note
1. Subparagraph e applies to all facilities.
2. Coordination may be verbal, electronic, or written.
Clearance Void Times.
1. When issuing clearance void times at airports without an operating control tower, provide alternative instructions requiring the pilots to advise ATC of their intentions no later than 30 minutes after the clearance void time if not airborne.
2. The facility delivering a clearance void time to a pilot must issue a time check. A void time issued using a specified number of minutes does not require a time check.
  Note
  
  If the clearance void time expires, it does not cancel the departure clearance or IFR flight plan. It withdraws the pilot's authority to depart IFR until a new departure release/release time has been issued by ATC and acknowledged by the pilot.
  
  Phraseology
  
  CLEARANCE VOID IF NOT OFF BY (clearance void time),
  and if required,
  IF NOT OFF BY (clearance void time), ADVISE (facility) NOT LATER THAN (time) OF INTENTIONS.
  TIME (time in hours, minutes, and the nearest quarter minute).
  Or
  CLEARANCE VOID IF NOT OFF IN (number of minutes) MINUTES
  and if required,
  IF NOT OFF IN (number of minutes) MINUTES, ADVISE (facility) OF INTENTIONS WITHIN (number of minutes) MINUTES.