What is the departure separation for a CAT II succeeding a CAT I?

• A. 3,000 ft
• B. 3,500 ft
• C. 4,000 ft
• D. 4,500 ft

Answer: (D)

When considering departure spacing between instrument categories, the system uses predefined buffers for how far apart successive departures must be. If a CAT II departure follows a CAT I departure, the required separation is four thousand five hundred feet. This larger buffer provides a safety margin for the more precise CAT II operation during the initial climb and any potential missed-approach maneuver, especially under instrument conditions where navigation precision and reaction times are critical. The other, smaller separations apply to different category pairings or procedures, not this specific combination, so the four thousand five hundred feet value is the appropriate choice.