IFR departure voiced concern regarding the lack of initial departure instructions departing dca; esp...

Attributes
ACN	1209217
Time
Date	201408
Place
Locale Reference	DCA.Airport
State Reference	DC
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Beechjet 400
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 135
Flight Phase	Initial Climb
Route In Use	Direct
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 150 Flight Crew Total 7800 Flight Crew Type 2200
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Airspace Violation All Types Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

Narrative:

We received an IFR clearance from washington clearance delivery for a direct flight from dca direct via radar vectors with an initial altitude of 4000ft. Upon reaching the runway for takeoff; washington tower stated 'cleared for takeoff' without any type of departure instructions; i.e. A heading to avoiding the prohibited area north of dca. We knew we could not continue straight ahead without going into prohibited airspace. We queried again as we were taking off. Washington tower replied; 'follow the river and intercept the 328 radial; contact potomac approach'. We made a left turn to follow the river and intercept the 328 radial. While following the river and intercepting the 328 radial off of dca (VOR); we contacted potomac approach and were told to turn west to a heading of 320 degrees; and then 270 degrees to avoid a prohibited area. Not sure if we entered the southwestern edge of the prohibited area north of dca or not; but would like to have had more timely instructions from tower; be given a SID; a departure procedure of some type before we were given a takeoff clearance; or a heading to follow immediately upon departure.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: IFR departure voiced concern regarding the lack of initial departure instructions departing DCA; especially considering the multiple restricted areas in the vicinity.

Narrative: We received an IFR clearance from Washington Clearance delivery for a direct flight from DCA direct via radar vectors with an initial altitude of 4000ft. Upon reaching the runway for takeoff; Washington tower stated 'cleared for takeoff' without any type of departure instructions; i.e. a heading to avoiding the prohibited area north of DCA. We knew we could not continue straight ahead without going into prohibited airspace. We queried again as we were taking off. Washington tower replied; 'follow the river and intercept the 328 radial; contact Potomac approach'. We made a left turn to follow the river and intercept the 328 radial. While following the river and intercepting the 328 radial off of DCA (VOR); we contacted Potomac approach and were told to turn west to a heading of 320 degrees; and then 270 degrees to avoid a prohibited area. Not sure if we entered the southwestern edge of the prohibited area north of DCA or not; but would like to have had more timely instructions from tower; be given a SID; a departure procedure of some type before we were given a takeoff clearance; or a heading to follow immediately upon departure.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

IFR departure voiced concern regarding the lack of initial departure instructions departing dca; especially considering the multiple restricted areas in the vicinity.