Pilot reported the IFR Departure procedure from 8B0 Airport requires navigation to a decommissioned NDB. Additionally; the procedure requires ATC approval for a VCOA which the Center Controller was not familiar with.

Date: 2024-09 · Aircraft: Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear

Anomalies: atc-issue-all-types|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-published-material-policy

Synopsis

Pilot reported the IFR Departure procedure from 8B0 Airport requires navigation to a decommissioned NDB. Additionally; the procedure requires ATC approval for a VCOA which the Center Controller was not familiar with.

Narrative

I am writing this report to bring awareness to a discrepancy I found while trying to depart Rangeley; ME; 8B0. The reported weather had unrestricted visibility; and a broken to overcast ceiling of ~2200 feet (~4000 feet MSL). Due to mountainous terrain and ceilings below the MEA; I had to file IFR to my destination of ZZZ. During the preflight process; I reviewed the IFR departure procedure for Runway 14. It stated the following (I deleted all other information for other runways):STEPHEN A BEAN MUNI (8B0)TAKEOFF MINIMUMS AND (OBSTACLE) DEPARTURE PROCEDURESTAKEOFF MINIMUMS:Rwy 14; std. w/min. climb of 335' per NM to 3900 or 2300 and 3 for VCOA.DEPARTURE PROCEDURE:Rwy 14; climbing right turn direct RQM NDB to cross at or above 3900' before proceeding on course.VCOA:All runways; obtain ATC approval for VCOA when requesting IFR clearance. Climb in visual conditions to cross Steven A Bean Muni at or above 4000 before proceeding on course.The above instructions state to proceed direct RQM NDB. However; this NDB is no longer in commission; is not in any navigational database; and has been removed from all charts without a GPS substituted waypoint. Because of this; I had planned to ask ATC for the VCOA; as stated as an alternative above. Upon receipt of my IFR clearance from ZBW Center; I asked if they were aware of any new IFR departure procedures due to the decommissioning of the NDB; and they stated that they were unaware of any revisions. I then asked for permission (as required in the above procedure) to utilize the VCOA procedure for departure. I was told by the Center that; even though it is a published procedure; they were unable to authorize any procedure below the MVA of 6300 feet. I found this odd; but let it be; as the controller understandably didn't have an in depth knowledge of all the airport unique procedures in their area of responsibility. I opted to depart; and was able to maintain my own terrain clearance over the airport until 4000 feet before proceeding on course. I am requesting that this airport have a TERPS review to design a new procedure to allow aircraft to depart IFR. Also; possibly educate the Center Controller on the charted procedure that allows maneuvering to depart IFR; while maintaining terrain clearance while in VMC. This is not a shared responsibility and relieved the controller of any terrain clearance obligation.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.