Narrative:

Sql needs a published instrument departure! I have had the opportunity to visit sql (san carlos airport; san carlos; ca) this summer; and once 8 years ago. Nothing has changed. Each time I have departed IFR to 'simplify' dealing with the complex overlying airspace in my direction of flight (north). Both times my departure clearance has consisted of a very long; wordy step-by-step procedure that took many minutes to copy; multiple repeats to confirm all the steps; and to answer all the questions. It's confusing in several aspects. My recollection of the most recent event is quoted below. I was departing on runway 30.'fly runway heading. Climb to 1200. At the diamond shaped waterway in about 1 mile turn right heading 180. Expect vectors to san francisco. Remain within two miles of the airport. Climb to 3200 crossing oakland XXX radial (I think I remember it was radial 190). Direct sausalito; direct scaggs; direct williams; direct as filed. Expect 10;000 10 minutes; squawk 1234; contact norcal departure on 123.45.' if ever there was a departure that screamed for a published procedure with some graphics that could be studied prior to engine start; this one would be it. Looking at the san francisco terminal area chart; there are no VOR radials to see from oakland in the direction of the 190 radial. So where should I expect to run into it on my departure? Do I cross it and climb while on my 180 heading? After I start getting vectors? If I have trouble getting the attention of norcal approach; do I circle around the airport within 2 miles just above traffic pattern till I can get a word in edgewise on this sometimes very crowded channel? Should I climb to 3200 if I cross the radial and have no approach radio contact yet? I supposed (while planning on the ground) that I would not cross the radial till I was vectored toward sfo; but a clean and safe departure would not leave any room for guesses.I am given published departures for other airports that have been created to supposedly 'simplify' instructions no longer than 'fly VOR radial 230; climb to 5000'' why on earth can't a departure procedure be created for san carlos? San carlos tower was very patient with me; tracked me with radar to be sure I was where they expected me to go; and once I got in contact with norcal approach; everything went smoothly. But it was very stressful and took way too much radio time and pilot attention away from flying and incoming VFR landing traffic at sql.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PA46 pilot lamented the lack of an IFR departure procedure from SQL stating that the verbal instructions are complex and difficult to comprehend.

Narrative: SQL needs a published instrument departure! I have had the opportunity to visit SQL (San Carlos airport; San Carlos; CA) this summer; and once 8 years ago. Nothing has changed. Each time I have departed IFR to 'simplify' dealing with the complex overlying airspace in my direction of flight (north). Both times my departure clearance has consisted of a very long; wordy step-by-step procedure that took many minutes to copy; multiple repeats to confirm all the steps; and to answer all the questions. It's confusing in several aspects. My recollection of the most recent event is quoted below. I was departing on Runway 30.'Fly runway heading. Climb to 1200. At the diamond shaped waterway in about 1 mile turn right heading 180. Expect vectors to San Francisco. Remain within two miles of the airport. Climb to 3200 crossing Oakland XXX radial (I think I remember it was radial 190). Direct Sausalito; direct Scaggs; direct Williams; direct as filed. Expect 10;000 10 minutes; squawk 1234; contact NORCAL DEPARTURE on 123.45.' If ever there was a departure that screamed for a published procedure with some graphics that could be studied prior to engine start; this one would be it. Looking at the San Francisco Terminal Area Chart; there are no VOR radials to see from Oakland in the direction of the 190 radial. So where should I expect to run into it on my departure? Do I cross it and climb while on my 180 heading? After I start getting vectors? If I have trouble getting the attention of Norcal Approach; do I circle around the airport within 2 miles just above traffic pattern till I can get a word in edgewise on this sometimes very crowded channel? Should I climb to 3200 if I cross the radial and have no approach radio contact yet? I supposed (while planning on the ground) that I would not cross the radial till I was vectored toward SFO; but a clean and safe departure would not leave any room for guesses.I am given published departures for other airports that have been created to supposedly 'simplify' instructions no longer than 'Fly VOR radial 230; climb to 5000'' Why on earth can't a departure procedure be created for San Carlos? San Carlos tower was very patient with me; tracked me with radar to be sure I was where they expected me to go; and once I got in contact with Norcal approach; everything went smoothly. But it was very stressful and took way too much radio time and pilot attention away from flying and incoming VFR landing traffic at SQL.

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.