Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 4
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance
Human Factors
Aircraft X departed PHL assigned a 065 heading. The heading did not separate Aircraft X from the 1;200 FT obstacle (center city) north east of PHL. Aircraft X entered the MVA 2;200 at 900 feet and was not laterally separated from the obstacle. I advised Local East I was turning Aircraft X away from the obstacle and local stated 'He was on a 065 heading.' Headings are routinely assigned without thought for separation required from the obstacle approximately 4 miles NE of PHL. The Tower Controller routinely misinterpret and/or apply the departure heading rules. Tower Controllers should be reminded and retrained on the importance of separating aircraft from aircraft and terrain.
PHL TRACON Controller reported an aircraft was not separated from an obstacle on departure; nor the MVA; which reportedly is a frequent occurrence.