Why does an airport departure time not provide separation for an aircraft leaving KJAN or KGWO to MHZ or SQS?

The reason why an airport departure time does not provide separation for aircraft leaving KJAN or KGWO to MHZ or SQS centers around the issue of geographic and operational positioning. When airports and VORTACs (VHF Omni-Directional Radio Ranges used for navigation) are not co-located, it complicates the ability to create standardized routes and timings for departures.

This misalignment can lead to situations where aircraft may not be on a predictable flight path right after takeoff, resulting in a potential overlap of airspace and conflict with other aircraft. This makes it difficult for air traffic controllers to maintain proper separation, which is crucial for ensuring safety during departures. Ideally, having airports and navigational aids in close proximity allows for more predictable routing and timing, leading to more efficient separation protocols.

Other options involve factors like airspace density, flight path uncertainty, and filing issues that can also affect air traffic management, but the specific concern here involves the operational challenges posed by the geographic relationship between the departure airports and their navigational aids.