Aircraft assigned an EDCT should depart as close as possible to the EDCT but not earlier than how many minutes before and not later than how many minutes after the EDCT?

Aircraft assigned an EDCT should depart as close as possible to the EDCT but not earlier than how many minutes before and not later than how many minutes after the EDCT?

• A. 5 minutes before and 5 minutes after
• B. 10 minutes before and 10 minutes after
• C. 0 minutes before and 0 minutes after
• D. 3 minutes before and 7 minutes after

Answer: (A)

EDCT is used to manage departure timing and sequencing for efficient air traffic flow. The allowed deviation around the EDCT is a symmetrical window of five minutes before to five minutes after. So you should depart no earlier than five minutes before and no later than five minutes after the EDCT. This balance keeps the departure sequence predictable for controllers and other aircraft while still allowing a bit of operational flexibility. Departing earlier than five minutes before would disrupt the planned sequencing, and departing more than five minutes after would delay the flow and risk congestion.

EDCT is used to manage departure timing and sequencing for efficient air traffic flow. The allowed deviation around the EDCT is a symmetrical window of five minutes before to five minutes after. So you should depart no earlier than five minutes before and no later than five minutes after the EDCT. This balance keeps the departure sequence predictable for controllers and other aircraft while still allowing a bit of operational flexibility. Departing earlier than five minutes before would disrupt the planned sequencing, and departing more than five minutes after would delay the flow and risk congestion.