If 2 minutes of separation is authorized, courses must diverge within how many minutes after takeoff?

The correct answer is based on air traffic separation requirements. When air traffic control authorizes a separation of 2 minutes, the aircraft must begin to diverge in their flight paths within a specific time frame to ensure that the required separation is maintained.

In this case, the standard procedure dictates that for a 2-minute separation, the courses of the two aircraft must start to diverge within 5 minutes after takeoff. This timing is crucial for maintaining situational awareness and ensuring that both aircraft can safely navigate their ascents without risk of conflict. Therefore, the 5-minute window aligns with established safety protocols and helps controllers manage traffic effectively.

This approach is rooted in the need to ensure that aircraft do not maintain the same trajectory for too long, which could jeopardize the required separation and potentially lead to safety issues.