No SID in clearance, fly it anyway?

Snowbird wrote:



Now that I think about it some more, I think the issue is
that some VFR towers (which won't tell you "radar contact")
can relay radar vectors from the radar approach control
which serves them. But sitting on the ground, I have no
way of knowing whether Whatzits Approach meets the criteria
(whatever they are) to provide radar vectors to Podunk Tower.
If I hear "fly heading XXX, intercept the ABC 188 degree
radial" is that a vector or a heading?

Vectors and headings are the same.


I think the rule has to be, if there's something to hit
and departure instructions don't include the obstacle
DP, Ask.

Can't ever go wrong by asking.

To add some controller input for the position that a heading is not a
vector, here is a post from a controller in another online aviation
forum:

-----------------snip-------------------------------
From a radar controllers' perspective, there is no such thing as a
radar vector when in a non radar environemnt, this mean if you don't
hear radar contact first, then any assigned heading prior to those
words does not constitute a vector. A radar vector is course guidance
predicated on radar. Simply by launching from the surface on a
assigned heading must not be construed as a radar vector.

We assign an initial heading to fly from all our towered fields, and
that is all they are, until you hear radar contact and then receive a
subsequent heading. Then and only then is a radar vector in play.
....
my concern here is that many pilots assume that when a heading is
assigned off the ground by a tower controller where there is a surface
area, that it is automatically controller assuming terrain and
obstacle clearance, it is not. The pilot assumes this responsibility
until reaching a minimum IFR altitude or the controller provides a
subsequent heading once airborne whether at or below the Minimum IFR
altitude. The rationale for this is that the 40:1 is reviewed or
there is a ODP for the pilot to fly at his/her perogotive.
-----------------snip-------------------------------