SOCAL Approach Palm Springs Area (PSP)

POC: Facility Advisory Board	Date: 2008-07-25
Code: ZLA-244	Version: 1.21

1. PURPOSE:

This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) outlines the general procedures to be used by controllers working a position within the SOCAL Approach-Palm Springs Area, to ensure safe and efficient handling of air traffic into, out of and through the Palm Springs Area airspace. By specifying standard phraseology and procedure, this SOP provides for the use of common air traffic handling language and operations.

Due to the Palm Springs Area containing an unusual mode of airspace management, known as a TRSA (Terminal Radar Service Area), this document provides additional information explaining this airspace mode and its operating procedures.

2. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR) for this SOP is the ZLA Facility Advisory Board. This SOP was originally proposed by Mark Coldwell, and was approved by the Los Angeles Center Chief (ZLA1), David Hendleman on January 11, 2003. This SOP shall be maintained, revised, updated or cancelled by the ZLA Facility Advisory Board or any organization that supersedes, replaces or assumes the FAB responsibilities. Any suggestions for modification/amendment to this SOP should be sent to the FAB for review.

3. DISTRIBUTION:

This SOP is intended for use by controllers staffing any position within the Palm Springs Area, as well as controllers working at SOCAL Approach and ZLA positions interfacing with Palm Springs Area.

4. BACKGROUND:

This SOP provides the primary guidelines for Palm Springs Area procedures, and includes procedures specific to both SOCAL Approach(Palm Springs Area) (PSP_APP) and Palm Springs Tower (PSP_TWR) positions. Also described is a non-standard altitude corridor for use by Palm Springs-bound aircraft transiting from the Palmdale VORTAC to the Palm Springs VORTAC through Los Angeles Center airspace.

5. REQUIREMENTS:

a. Palm Springs Runway Use program

Palm Springs shall normally land and depart runways 13L/R, unless the winds favor runways 31L/R at 10 knots or more.

b. Frequencies

The following radio frequencies are designated for use at Palm Springs Area positions:

SOCAL Approach (Palm Springs Area)	126.70
PSP_TWR Palm Springs Tower	119.70
PSP_GND Palm Springs Ground	121.90* (see note below)
PSP_DEL Palm Springs Clearance Delivery	128.35

Note: 121.90 is used for GND at many ZLA fields. In the event of Palm Springs being manned by APP, TWR, and GND for a major event, consider combining GND and DEL functions as PSP_GND on the DEL frequency 128.35 rather than 121.90 to minimize any difficulties with adjoining facilities. The ZLA Events Director, or any ZLA Staff Member may request this at any time.

c. Airspace:

(1) Palm Springs Area has delegated to it by Los Angeles Center (LAX_C_CTR) all airspace at and below 13,000 MSL inside the lateral boundaries as depicted in the ZLA sector file.

(2) Within the bounds of the Palm Springs TRACON lateral boundaries there exists the Palm Springs TSRA (Terminal Radar Service Area).

Participating VFR Aircraft in the TRSA airspace shall be provided TRSA service in accordance with FAAO 7110.65S Sections 7-6 and 7-7, including the separation standards of Section 7-7-3. VFR aircraft participation in the TRSA is optional, however, controllers must provide TRSA service to these aircraft unless the pilot specifically refuses it. VFR aircraft arriving into the Palm Springs Area are not required to use TRSA services, but must be provided them if in contact with the approach controller unless specifically refused. Participating Aircraft operating to or from Bermuda Dunes(KUDD) or Thermal(KTRM) airports, as well as enroute aircraft, must be provided TRSA service as described above while in TRSA airspace.

The Palm Springs TRSA is depicted on the Los Angeles Sectional Aeronautical Chart as a solid black line and shows altitudes for each TRSA segment. The TRSA operates from 10000 MSL ceiling down to 3500 MSL, with two extended zones 10000 MSL to 2000 MSL and 10000 MSL to SFC respectively. The Class D airspace for KPSP is charted with a blue segmented line.

d. Arrival Procedures

(1) SBONO Arrivals will be received from LAX_C_CTR with instructions to Cross CLOWD at and maintain 11,000 and 250 knots

(2) CLOWD Arrivals will be received from LAX_C_CTR with instructions to Cross CLOWD at and maintain 11,000 and 250 knots

(3) There is a southeast-bound corridor for IFR aircraft transiting V137 at the non-standard altitude of 14000, between MAJEK and the PSP VORTAC. Aircraft departing PMD are descended to 14000 after MAJEK and are handed from LAX_C_CTR to PSP_APP. PSP_APP will descend KPSP-bound aircraft further after crossing MORON.

e. Departure Procedures

(1) Altitude Assignment

PSP_DEL shall assign an initial altitude of 8000 or the requested cruise altitude, whichever is lower to all departing IFR aircraft. Particular care must be given to ensure any requested cruise altitude below 8000 provides for adequate terrain clearance.
When traffic flow permits, all departures shall be climbed to 13000 or their requested cruise altitude, whichever is lower, by PSP_APP and shall be handed off to Center, or SOCAL Empire Sector, as appropriate.

(2) Preferred IFR Departure Routings

(a) THERMAL FIVE (Pilot Nav)

IFR departures to the South, Southwest (San Diego area), and Southeast via the TRM VORTAC. Aircraft not at the minimum crossing altitudes at TRM VORTAC should climb in the TRM holding pattern as depicted until reaching the minimum specified crossing altitude for direction of flight, then via assigned route. TRM5 departures are handed to LAX_C_CTR.

(b) CATHEDRAL EIGHT (Pilot Nav)

IFR departures to the West, Northwest, and East via the PSP VORTAC and appropriate transitions:
Aircraft not at the minimum crossing altitudes at PSP VORTAC should continue climbing via EMRUD then back to PSP VORTAC as depicted to ensure reaching the minimum specified crossing altitude for direction of flight, then via assigned route. CATH8 departures are handed to LAX_C_CTR.

No aircraft may be routed to depart Palm Springs TRACON via PSP VORTAC west via V16 towards PDZ VORTAC unless otherwise coordinated, as terrain clearance requirements for such a departure may compromise aircraft descending on the PSP.SETER2 arrival for KONT, and PSP.KAYOH4 arrivals for KSNA/KLGB. All such departures should use V388 routing as depicted on the CATH8.PDZ to DEWAY, then via PDZ R-072 to ACINS (16DME PDZ) or PDZ VORTAC as appropriate.

No aircraft should be routed to depart Palm Springs TRACON via PSP VORTAC northwest via V137 towards PMD VORTAC unless otherwise coordinated, as terrain clearance requirements for such a departure may compromise aircraft descending on the PMD.ZIGGY4 arrivals for KONT, and the V137 arrival to PSP as described above. All such departures should use V386 routing as depicted on the CATH8.PMD.

(c) PALM SPRINGS FOUR (Vector)

Not generally assigned except for east-bound departures to TNP, PKE and BLH VORTACs, this is a vectored departure to initial fixes as depicted, then via assigned route. This departure requires the steepest climb performance of the KPSP departures, a minimum of 450' per NM to 8000 feet. Due to terrain and our procedures, the PSP4 departure from runways 31L/R is NOT AUTHORIZED; when required, headings shall be issued in accordance with the 'Assignment of Headings' SOP. PSP4 departures are handed to LAX_C_CTR. All aircraft transiting above the Joshua National Park east of Palm Springs should do so at or above 8000.

f. Miscellaneous

The Palm Springs TRACON is in a valley surrounded by sharply rising high terrain to the north, northwest, west, and southwest, with more gently rising terrain to the east.

Located on the 'valley floor' are Palm Springs TRACON's three most significant airports:

KPSP - Palm Springs International

KUDD - Palm Springs / Bermuda Dunes

KTRM - Palm Springs / Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport (also known as Thermal)

Because of the proximity of the rising terrain to these airports, particular care must be taken to ensure aircraft climb safely to enroute altitudes, and aircraft descend into the valley, safely clear of terrain.