"How would you depart an airport with no DP in IMC?"
I told him "I don't think you can" instead of "You cannot." So he pressed me. I thought I was failing, so I made something up on the spot, something like, "Look at the approach plate, and basically fly it backwards."
Then he said, "Nope, that will kill you. Go get your instructor."
I felt awful. But it really comes back to the confidence. I knew you couldn't do it, but I thought I wasn't prepared and tried to fake it, which is a dangerous thing to do, even on the ground!
Simple answer to that question, climb to 400' AGL on runway heading before making any turns. This is what is usually referred to as a "diverse" departure procedure.
If that cannot be accomplished with a standard 200' per nm climb, or there are obstacles that limit the direction turns can be made (ie., a mountain is off to one side of the airport) that's when a specific obstacle clearance departure procedure will be developed for the runway.
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