Figure 1-33. Crossing altitude is there to support an ATC requirement.  lost, you will be asked to provide position reports in order  for ATC to monitor your flight progress. Also, ATC may  release you to “resume own navigation” after vectoring you  off course momentarily for a variety of reasons, including  weather or traffic.  Upon initial contact, state your aircraft or flight number,  the altitude you are climbing through, and the altitude  to which you are climbing. The controller will verify that  your reported altitude matches that emitted by your  transponder. If your altitude does not match, or if you  do not have Mode C capabilities, you will be continually  required to report your position and altitude for ATC.  The controller is not required to provide terrain and  obstacle clearance just because ATC has radar contact  with your aircraft. It remains your responsibility until the  controller begins to provide navigational guidance in  the form of radar vectors. Once radar vectors are given,  you are expected to promptly comply with headings and  altitudes as assigned. Question any assigned heading if you  believe it to be incorrect or if it would cause a violation of  a regulation, then advise ATC immediately and obtain a  revised clearance.  1-38  For all practical purposes, a radar departure is the easiest  type of departure to use. It is also a good alternative to a  published departure procedure, particularly when none of  the available departure procedures are conducive to your  flight route. However, it is advisable to always maintain a  detailed awareness of your location while you are being  radar vectored by ATC. If for some reason radar contact is  A radar departure is another option for departing an airport  on an IFR flight. You might receive a radar departure if the  airport does not have an established departure procedure,  if you are unable to comply with a departure procedure, or  if you request “No SIDs” as a part of your flight plan. Expect  ATC to issue an initial departure heading if you are being  radar vectored after takeoff; however, do not expect to  be given a purpose for the specific vector heading. Rest  assured that the controller knows your flight route and will  vector you into position. By nature of the departure type,  once you are issued your clearance, the responsibility for  coordination of your flight rests with ATC, including the  tower controller and, after handoff, the departure controller  who will remain with you until you are released on course  and allowed to “resume own navigation.” Radar Departures  NOT FOR NAVIGATION SW-4, 23 SEP 2010 to 21 OCT 2010  SW-4, 23 SEP 2010 to 21 OCT 2010 