Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 3
Confusion; Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Airspace Structure; Human Factors; Procedure
I believe the 7110.65 has been misinterpreted at DSM which has resulted in many instances of IFR aircraft becoming too close to obstructions on departure.In this particular instance; Aircraft X was cleared as filed.  This puts his route through a 4;000 foot MVA.Before the aircraft entered the MVA at around 2;000 feet; I told the developmental that Aircraft X was about to enter the higher MVA; the OJTI (On the Job Training Instructor) obviously didn't agree with me but instructed the developmental to turn the aircraft 15 degrees right; which still wasn't enough to clear the MVA but at least it was something.7110.65 4-3-2 paragraph c states:' c Departure Procedures          1. Specify direction of takeoff/or initial heading to be flown after takeoff as follows:             a. Locations with Airport Traffic Control Service-Specify direction of takeoff/turn or initial heading as necessary;  consistent with published:                                 1. Departure Procedures (DP).  If an aircraft is vectored off a published Standard Departure (SID) or Obstacle Departure Procedure (ODP); that vector cancels the DP and ATC becomes responsible for separation from terrain and/or obstructions. IFR aircraft must be assigned an altitude.                                 2. Diverse Vector Areas (DVA). The assignment of an initial heading using a DVA can be given to the pilot as part of the initial clearance; but must be given no later than with the takeoff clearance.  Once airborne; and aircraft assigned headings within the DVA can be vectored below the MVA/MIA.  Controllers cannot interrupt an aircraft's climb in the DVA until the aircraft is at or above the MVA.'I believe the above paragraph is being misinterpreted to apply to satellite airport departures instead of the primary airport because it states that it only applies to locations with Air Traffic Control Service.  Also; the assignment of an initial heading using a DVA must be given no later than with the takeoff clearance.  Obviously; we do not clear aircraft for takeoff at satellite airports.  Furthermore; aircraft are not being cleared consistent with published Departure Procedures or Diverse Vector Areas.The 7110.65 further clarifies in paragraph b that (b) Locations without Airport Traffic Control Service; but within a Class E surface area specify direction of takeoff and turn or initial heading if necessary. Obtain [or] solicit the pilot's concurrence concerning a turn or heading before issuing them in a clearance. If we would do that; I have no problem letting the aircraft enter the MVA if they concur; however it is many times unreasonable to expect the pilot to actually be able to comply if we are IFR.The DSM 7110.C Section 3 Satellite Airport Procedures Paragraph 4-3-4 Vectors Below Minimum Altitude states that:'For the purpose of applying FAA 7110.65 procedures which allow satellite departure and missed approach aircraft to be vectored below the minimum altitude required for IFR operations; prominent obstructions are depicted on the video map utilizing Digital Map Marks.  Obstruction heights in MSL are depicted on the Emergency Video Map.The purpose of the ATC system is to prevent collisions between aircraft and terrain [or] obstacles; and other aircraft.  The way these procedures are being applied I feel are contrary to that goal.I would just like clarification of the rules so we can apply them correctly at DSM.Can we clear IFR aircraft off of Satellite Airports through a 4;000 foot MVA without doing anything to ensure separation from obstructions?  Because that is what is happening.It is so easy to issue a vector or ODP (Obstacle Departure Procedure) but our current SOP; along with misinterpretations of the .65 are being used to justify not having to provide separation from obstacles.
DSM Controller reported possible misinterpreted Diverse Vectoring rules along with Minimum Vectoring Area violations.