A Question about Departure Procedures at KLRU
The only takeoff departure at Las Crucas, NM (KLRU) is a visual climb over airfield (VCOA).  

Typically you would depart the airport and visually see and avoid the obstacles around the airport while you climb.  If you are in IMC conditions (at this airport) you need 2500' ceilings and 3SM visibility to circle and climb above the airfield.  In essence, the procedure is for you to avoid the obstacles while you are climbing in a confined space.  

ATC wants to know about your intentions of flying VCOA so they can plan accordingly.  It is one thing to climb over the airfield to the MEA vs. reaching the MEA 30NM from the airport.

From AIM 5-2-7


  A VCOA procedure is a departure option for an IFR aircraft, operating in VMC conditions equal to or greater than the specified visibility and ceiling, to visually conduct climbing turns over the airport to the published "climb-to" altitude from which to proceed with the instrument portion of the departure.  VCOA procedures are developed to avoid obstacles greater than 3 SM from the departure end of the runway as an alternative to complying with climb gradients greater than 200 FPNM.  Pilots are responsible to advise ATC as early as possible of the intent to fly the VOCA option prior to departure.