What is the typical sequence for handing off a departing airplane from tower to departure control?

• A. After clearance, the tower hands off to departure control once the aircraft is clear of the immediate airport area and on a routable vector or altitude.
• B. Handoff occurs before taxi and before clearance.
• C. Handoff occurs after landing.
• D. There is no handoff; tower remains responsible.

Answer: (A)

Transfer of control to departure control happens once the aircraft is airborne and outside the immediate airport area, on a routable path or assigned altitude. This timing lets Departure manage the enroute portion, including climbs, headings, and routing toward the next sector, while the tower handles the local departure and initial separation within the terminal area. The aircraft must be on a published route or have an assigned altitude that Departure can maintain, so the transition is smooth and the enroute structure can begin. Handoff before taxi or clearance isn’t appropriate because clearance and the takeoff must be completed first; handing off after landing wouldn’t apply to departures; and there is a handoff to Departure in most standard operations to manage the flight beyond the airport.