5-8-2

Initial Heading

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

Before departure, assign the initial heading consistent with either a SID being flown or DVA, if applicable, when a departing aircraft is to be vectored immediately after takeoff. At locations that have a DVA, concurrent use of both a SID and DVA is not permitted.
Phraseology

FLY RUNWAY HEADING.
TURN LEFT/RIGHT, HEADING (degrees).
Note
1. TERMINAL. A purpose for the heading is not necessary, since pilots operating in a radar environment associate assigned headings with vectors to their planned route of flight.
2. ATC assumes responsibility for terrain and obstacle avoidance when IFR aircraft are below the minimum IFR altitude (MVA, MIA, MEA) and are taken off departure/missed approach procedures, or if issued go-around instructions, except after conducting a visual approach. ATC does not assume this responsibility when utilizing a Diverse Vector Area (DVA) or when operating on SIDs with or without a published range of headings in the departure route description.
Reference

FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 4-3-2, Departure Clearances.
FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 5-6-3, Vectors Below Minimum Altitude.
At locations with both SIDs and DVAs, an amended departure clearance is required to cancel a previously assigned SID and subsequently utilize a DVA or vice versa. The amended clearance must be provided to the pilot in a timely manner so that the pilot may brief the changes in advance of entering the runway.
Issue an altitude to maintain with the initial heading when the heading will take the aircraft off a departure procedure that contains both a published lateral path to a waypoint and crossing restrictions.
When conducting simultaneous parallel runway departures utilizing RNAV SIDs, advise aircraft of the initial fix/waypoint on the RNAV route.
Phraseology

RNAV to (fix/waypoint), RUNWAY (number), CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF.

Example

“RNAV to MPASS, Runway Two-Six Left, cleared for takeoff.”
Note
1. TERMINAL. A purpose for an initial waypoint advisory is not necessary since pilots associate this advisory with the flight path to their planned route of flight. Pilots must immediately advise ATC if a different RNAV SID is entered in the aircraft FMS.
2. The SID transition is not restated as it is contained in the ATC clearance.
3. Aircraft cleared via RNAV SIDs designed to begin with a vector to the initial waypoint are assigned a heading before departure.
Reference

FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 3-9-9, Nonintersecting Converging Runway Operations.
FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 4-3-2, Departure Clearances.
AIM, Para 5-2-7, Departure Control.