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This glossary is written for virtual airline and flight simulation use within Virtual Air Canada Airline. It is not intended as a real-world aviation reference.
An Engine-Out Departure Procedure (EODP) is a specially designed departure routing that ensures an aircraft can safely climb away from an airport and avoid terrain or obstacles even if one engine fails at the most critical point - typically at or just after V1 (decision speed). These procedures are developed using obstacle clearance criteria from the aircraft’s Flight Manual in combination with airport and terrain data. An EODP may specify a specific runway track, a turn at a defined altitude, or a combination of both, and it is published in the aircraft’s performance documentation or operator-specific departure analysis. EODPs are particularly critical at airports surrounded by high terrain, such as Innsbruck (LOWI), Kathmandu (VNKT), or Queenstown (NZQN), where standard published SIDs may not guarantee obstacle clearance in an engine-out scenario. Operators are required to verify that an EODP exists and is feasible for each departure, factoring in aircraft weight, temperature, pressure altitude, and engine-out climb gradient capability. If no published EODP exists or the aircraft cannot achieve the required gradient, the takeoff weight must be reduced or the departure delayed.

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In Virtual Airline Operations

While most flight simulators do not enforce engine-out climb gradients automatically, virtual pilots flying at challenging airports should be aware of EODP requirements as part of realistic operations. When using performance tools such as SimBrief or third-party performance calculators, some airports will include EODP notes in the dispatch documentation. Reviewing these adds authenticity and builds an understanding of real-world takeoff performance planning.
  • SID - Standard Instrument Departure
  • OFP - Operational Flight Plan
  • ETOPS - Extended-range Twin-engine Operations Performance Standards