"Bill Zaleski" wrote in message
...

When issued a downwind departure and your desired course is on the
other side of the extended centerline. Yes, I know you should have
been issued a downwind that put you ohn the correct side, but it
doesn't always happen.


That doesn't follow the situation we are discussing. Recall that it was
stated; "At a towered airport you turn whatever direction you want, unless
otherwise instructed."

You responded; "Agreed, but you may not cross an extension of the departure
runway centerline till outside the "D" or with clearance. This happens a
lot
here, for some reason. The tower has a fit, and rightfully so."

Now the situation is not one where you turn whatever direction you want, the
tower has issued a turn away from your direction of flight. But no matter,
at whatever point you are issued "proceed on course", it means from your
present position turn in the shortest direction toward your desired
destination. Even if it does cross an extension of the departure runway
centerline well inside the "D".