During a Case III helicopter departure, the aircraft will arc within how many miles to intercept the assigned departure radial, and the climb to departure altitude will be commenced on the departure radial outside how many nautical miles?

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In a Case III helicopter departure, you use a fixed-radius arc to intercept the assigned departure radial. The arc is three miles from the departure point, which lets you join the radial smoothly while maintaining obstacle clearance during the initial turn after liftoff. Once you’re established on the departure radial, you begin the climb to the published departure altitude on that radial, but you do this outside twelve nautical miles from the departure point. Starting the climb outside 12 NM helps ensure you’re clear of the terminal area’s traffic and altitude restrictions, giving ATC room to sequence you and ensuring safe separation as you transition to the en route segment. So the given values are a three-mile arc to intercept, and a climb commenced on the departure radial outside twelve nautical miles.