Authorize simultaneous takeoffs, not flying an RNAV SID, for aircraft departing non-intersecting runways if runways diverge by at least _________.

• A. 30 degrees
• B. 15 degrees
• C. 5 degrees
• D. 45 degrees

Answer: (B)

The situation tests how much angular divergence between non-intersecting runways is needed to permit simultaneous takeoffs without using an RNAV SID. When the runways diverge by a minimum amount, the initial departure tracks separate quickly enough so two aircraft can depart at the same time without increasing the risk of their paths overlapping. This divergence provides sufficient lateral separation right from the start, making standard separation procedures workable even without precise RNAV routing.

A divergence of 15 degrees is the threshold that achieves this balance: it’s large enough to ensure distinct initial tracks but not so large that it would routinely require unnecessary constraints. A smaller divergence, like 5 degrees, wouldn’t guarantee adequate separation, while much larger divergences (30 or 45 degrees) aren’t required for the minimum safety standard and would complicate operations unnecessarily.