"Proceed on Course" = "Right turn approved"?

I took of from Reading, PA this morning from RW 31 with an on-course heading
of 105. As I was cleared for takeoff, I was told "Cleared for takeoff,
proceed on course". In the past, they've also added "Right turn approved".
This time they didn't. I was concerned that I hadn't been cleared for a
right turn, and a right turn would have gotten me on course sooner. I then
said "Request right turn to on course" but the controller seemed a bit
irritated and just added "On course approved". Did I have permission for a
right turn in the pattern or not?

--
Bob (Chief Pilot, White Knuckle Airways)

I don't have to like Bush and Cheney (Or Kerry, for that matter) to love
America

I would turn whatever direction needed to get on course.

"Bob Chilcoat" wrote in message
...
I took of from Reading, PA this morning from RW 31 with an on-course
heading
of 105. As I was cleared for takeoff, I was told "Cleared for takeoff,
proceed on course". In the past, they've also added "Right turn
approved".
This time they didn't. I was concerned that I hadn't been cleared for a
right turn, and a right turn would have gotten me on course sooner. I
then
said "Request right turn to on course" but the controller seemed a bit
irritated and just added "On course approved". Did I have permission for
a
right turn in the pattern or not?

--
Bob (Chief Pilot, White Knuckle Airways)

I don't have to like Bush and Cheney (Or Kerry, for that matter) to love
America

"Bob Chilcoat" wrote in message
...
I took of from Reading, PA this morning from RW 31 with an on-course
heading
of 105. As I was cleared for takeoff, I was told "Cleared for takeoff,
proceed on course". In the past, they've also added "Right turn
approved".
This time they didn't. I was concerned that I hadn't been cleared for a
right turn, and a right turn would have gotten me on course sooner. I
then
said "Request right turn to on course" but the controller seemed a bit
irritated and just added "On course approved". Did I have permission for
a
right turn in the pattern or not?

The FARs' default requirement for left turns in the pattern applies to
landings, not departures. So I don't think any particular permission is
required for a right turn after takeoff.

--Gary

Bob Chilcoat wrote:

I took of from Reading, PA this morning from RW 31 with an on-course heading
of 105. As I was cleared for takeoff, I was told "Cleared for takeoff,
proceed on course". In the past, they've also added "Right turn approved".
This time they didn't.

I got the same set of instructions departing from NE Philly from AOPA Expo last fall.
I just turned right when I got to pattern altitude. Nobody said anything, so I
assumed it was correct.

George Patterson
In Idaho, tossing a rattlesnake into a crowded room is felony assault.
In Tennessee, it's evangelism.

"Bob Chilcoat" wrote in
:

I took of from Reading, PA this morning from RW 31 with an on-course
heading of 105. As I was cleared for takeoff, I was told "Cleared for
takeoff, proceed on course". In the past, they've also added "Right
turn approved". This time they didn't. I was concerned that I hadn't
been cleared for a right turn, and a right turn would have gotten me
on course sooner. I then said "Request right turn to on course" but
the controller seemed a bit irritated and just added "On course
approved". Did I have permission for a right turn in the pattern or
not?

--
Bob (Chief Pilot, White Knuckle Airways)

I don't have to like Bush and Cheney (Or Kerry, for that matter) to
love America



On course is whatever course you need to turn to in order to get to your
destination. If you need to turn right to get on course, then yes, it is
approved.

Bob Chilcoat wrote:
I took of from Reading, PA this morning from RW 31 with an on-course heading
of 105. As I was cleared for takeoff, I was told "Cleared for takeoff,
proceed on course". In the past, they've also added "Right turn approved".
This time they didn't. I was concerned that I hadn't been cleared for a
right turn, and a right turn would have gotten me on course sooner. I then
said "Request right turn to on course" but the controller seemed a bit
irritated and just added "On course approved". Did I have permission for a
right turn in the pattern or not?


At a towered airport you turn whatever direction you want, unless
otherwise instructed.

Gary Drescher wrote:



The FARs' default requirement for left turns in the pattern applies to
landings, not departures.

And doesn't apply at all to towered airports.

"Newps" wrote in message
...


Gary Drescher wrote:

The FARs' default requirement for left turns in the pattern applies to
landings, not departures.

And doesn't apply at all to towered airports.

I think it does, because 91.129 (Class D ops) incorporates the requirements
of 91.126 and 91.127 (Class G and E ops), except when ATC authorizes a
deviation. I think that's why Bob was wondering if he needed explicit
permission for the turn.

--Gary

On Thu, 15 Jul 2004 19:21:17 -0600, Newps wrote:



Bob Chilcoat wrote:
I took of from Reading, PA this morning from RW 31 with an on-course heading
of 105. As I was cleared for takeoff, I was told "Cleared for takeoff,
proceed on course". In the past, they've also added "Right turn approved".
This time they didn't. I was concerned that I hadn't been cleared for a
right turn, and a right turn would have gotten me on course sooner. I then
said "Request right turn to on course" but the controller seemed a bit
irritated and just added "On course approved". Did I have permission for a
right turn in the pattern or not?


At a towered airport you turn whatever direction you want, unless
otherwise instructed.


Agreed, but you may not cross an extension of the departure runway
centerline till outside the "D" or with clearance. This happens a lot
here, for some reason. The tower has a fit, and rightfully so.

Gary Drescher wrote:
"Newps" wrote in message
...


Gary Drescher wrote:

The FARs' default requirement for left turns in the pattern applies to
landings, not departures.

And doesn't apply at all to towered airports.


I think it does, because 91.129 (Class D ops) incorporates the requirements
of 91.126 and 91.127 (Class G and E ops), except when ATC authorizes a
deviation. I think that's why Bob was wondering if he needed explicit
permission for the turn.


No, the left turn preference does not apply to towered airports.