In a nonradar environment, authorize simultaneous departures from parallel runways when centerlines are separated by at least 3,500 feet and the courses diverge by at least how many degrees immediately after takeoff?

• A. 30
• B. 60
• C. 45
• D. 75

Answer: (C)

In a nonradar environment, simultaneous departures from parallel runways rely on lateral separation created by the aircraft’s tracks diverging after takeoff. When the runway centerlines are 3,500 feet apart, you need enough initial divergence so the two paths separate quickly and stay apart as they climb. A 45-degree divergence immediately after takeoff provides the minimum angle that achieves this separation, ensuring the flight paths widen fast enough to prevent conflicts. A smaller angle, like 30 degrees, wouldn’t open the tracks quickly enough, while larger angles (60 or 75 degrees) would also work but aren’t the minimum required.