Departure time, to local VFR flights?

N8 · Post by N8 » Wed Mar 31, 2004 1:19 pm

Sometimes, when tower gives take off clearance (at YTZ anyway) they give a departure time. Sometimes they don’t. I’m VFR, either in the circuit, going to the local practice area or for a short cross country.

What in the heck am I supposed to do with this take off time? It’s not like they give me a time when I return so that I can determine my airtime. Maybe they give it just so that I can adjust my watch to their clock? It’s not like I’m going to set my watch during the take off roll though.

Thoughts?

FL410 · Post by **FL410** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 2:00 pm

Maybe so you know the time off without having to glance down at your watch.

wallypilot · Post by **wallypilot** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 5:22 pm

I find the guys up north do it a lot at the C.A.R stations. i think it is just a courtesy thing for your convenience if you are VFR. And maybe force of habit from departing IFR flights. Maybe the controller started working up north?????

FA28 guy · Post by **FA28 guy** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 5:41 pm

N8

You should ask the tower why they do it. I know its not part of MANOPS but maybe the controller thinks it's usefull or maybe he has nothing better to do. The tower number is in the CFS

N2 · Post by N2 » Wed Mar 31, 2004 7:35 pm

I think Wallypilot is right, they are just trying to be helpful. You are supposed to be recording your takeoff time regardless of what type of flight you are conducting, the controller is just giving you the correct time. I would be thanking the controller for providing me with the info.

Now if they gave me the time each time I did a touch and go it might be annoying but to give it to me on take off is most welcome.

oldtimer · Post by **oldtimer** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 10:13 pm

You are on @ 02:11:10, 02:11:20, 02:11:30 and 02:11:40 and can dribble to the hangar.
Alternative "Did you land at 02:11:40 or were you shot down."