What must the departure controller provide in order for the tower controller to issue a takeoff clearance?

• A. Issue a release
• B. Issue a routing instruction
• C. Issue a ground clearance
• D. Issue a hold

Answer: (A)

Coordinating control transfer between the departure and the tower is the key idea. The departure controller must release the aircraft to the tower before the tower can issue a takeoff clearance. That release signals that the aircraft has been cleared for its departure, that traffic separations have been established in the area, and that the tower has approval to bring the aircraft onto its primary responsibility for takeoff and initial climb. With the aircraft released, the tower can then issue the takeoff clearance.

Ground clearance is the responsibility of ground control for taxiing, not for issuing a takeoff clearance. A routing instruction pertains to the path after departure, not to the act of giving the takeoff clearance. A hold would delay clearance and isn’t the prerequisite needed to issue a takeoff clearance.