How should a student handle departures when there are conflicting arrivals?

Negotiating altitudes with the tower before clearance is the most appropriate action for handling departures in the scenario of conflicting arrivals. This approach allows for effective communication between the student and the tower, ensuring that all aircraft, both departing and arriving, can be safely managed within the same airspace. By working with the tower to establish safe altitudes for departures, it creates a coordinated plan that minimizes the risk of congestion and potential conflicts.

Ordering the arrivals to circle until clear is not the best solution as it can lead to increased fuel consumption and complicate the situation further, as circling aircraft may still be at risk of conflict with departures. Additionally, delaying all departures until arrivals are settled might exacerbate delays and lead to a backlog of departing traffic, which can be inefficient and disruptive. Similarly, re-routing departures to a different airport might not always be feasible, as it could involve longer travel times and increased operational costs for both airlines and passengers. Each of these alternatives presents challenges that are best avoided by proactively negotiating altitudes with the tower.