Which group should contact departure control about one-half mile beyond the runway end?

• A. General aviation
• B. Civil aircraft
• C. Military transport
• D. Civil aircraft, military transport, and cargo types

Answer: (D)

This item is testing who needs to contact departure control shortly after takeoff to begin safe integration into the en route system. Reaching a point about one-half mile beyond the runway end is the moment for certain aircraft to hand off from the tower to departure control so they can receive their initial clearance, altitude, and routing and be sequenced properly with other traffic as they climb away from the airport.

Civil aircraft, military transports, and cargo types are typically included in this requirement because these aircraft usually operate with higher speeds, heavier weights, or specific departure procedures that demand earlier coordination with departure control. Early contact ensures they can be given the appropriate instructions, speeds, and headings to blend smoothly into the en route structure and maintain safe separation from other operations.

General aviation often involves smaller, slower aircraft that can be integrated into the local airspace with less stringent immediate handoff requirements, or they may follow different handoff points depending on local procedures. The need for an early handoff at a fixed distance beyond the runway end is most consistently applied to the heavier or specialized categories listed, which is why those groups are the best answer.