Alamogordo IFR Questions

[John Clonts]

I am planning a flight from Burnet, TX (KBMQ) to Alamogordo, NM (KALM).
Here is an approach plate
http://www.myairplane.com/databases/approach/SouthWest/ALM_nr3.pdf and
departure procedure
http://www.myairplane.com/databases/approach/SouthWest/ALM_CORONA%20ONE%20DE
P.pdf

1) The approach says "radar required". Yet Holliman Approach is part time.
The AF/D refers then to Albuquerque Center approach/departure control. So
if Holliman approach is closed, is Albuqurque center able to provide the
same radar services (for purposes of the "radar required", and other things
like vector-to-final)?

2) The departure procedure would take me 100 nm almost due north, but my
desired direction is roughly east (oroca 12000). How might I avoid that
detour? I think the answer is to expect to fly the procedure but once high
enough request direct to some point eastbound. Or, could I request (e.g.)
to climb in a hold over BWS VOR to 12K, then head east?

Thanks!
John Clonts
Temple, Texas

[WDD]

John,
Most likely Alamagordo will be VMC. If so the best way to go east is to do a
circling climb to gain sufficient altitude to cross the ridge which is just
east of the airport. File from ALM to JAKKY intersection which is on V280.
From JAKKY you can flight plan to your destination. Plan on a high density
altitude and a lengthy climb to cross the ridge. I did this last fall when
Holloman was closed. I could not reach ATC until I was at altitude. Once I
got ATC they assigned a transponder code and opened the IFR plan. ALM is a
nice airport.
Bill Dean