VFR departures from Waldron RWYS 13 and 18 will climb/descend to what altitude and accelerate to what speed when #1 upwind?

VFR departures from Waldron RWYS 13 and 18 will climb/descend to what altitude and accelerate to what speed when #1 upwind?

• A. 600' MSL; 260 KIAS
• B. 400' MSL; 230 KIAS
• C. 700' MSL; 250 KIAS
• D. 500' MSL; 240 KIAS

Answer: (D)

The departure instruction is about establishing a safe, predictable start to the traffic pattern. For Waldron’s VFR departures on runways 13 and 18, you climb or descend to 500 feet MSL and accelerate to 240 KIAS when the lead aircraft is on the upwind leg. With the field effectively at sea level, 500 feet MSL is the same as about 500 feet AGL, giving you a comfortable climb-out that places you in the proper portion of the pattern without crowding obstacles or other traffic. Accelerating to 240 KIAS provides a stable, efficient speed for the upwind leg—fast enough to maintain spacing, but not so fast that you overspeed or lose control authority in the turns or transitions. The other altitude/speed combinations don’t align with the published departure profile, which is why 500' MSL and 240 KIAS is the correct pairing.

The departure instruction is about establishing a safe, predictable start to the traffic pattern. For Waldron’s VFR departures on runways 13 and 18, you climb or descend to 500 feet MSL and accelerate to 240 KIAS when the lead aircraft is on the upwind leg. With the field effectively at sea level, 500 feet MSL is the same as about 500 feet AGL, giving you a comfortable climb-out that places you in the proper portion of the pattern without crowding obstacles or other traffic. Accelerating to 240 KIAS provides a stable, efficient speed for the upwind leg—fast enough to maintain spacing, but not so fast that you overspeed or lose control authority in the turns or transitions. The other altitude/speed combinations don’t align with the published departure profile, which is why 500' MSL and 240 KIAS is the correct pairing.