Uncontrolled Fields

POC: Facility Advisory Board	Date: 2007-05-04
Code: ZLA-004	Version: 1.20

1. PURPOSE.

Outlines services to be provided at untowered airports.

2. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

The Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR) for this SOP is the Los Angeles Center Chief (ZLA1). This SOP was originally signed by Jeff Clark, ZLA Facility Chief on July 23, 2002.

3. DISTRIBUTION.

This SOP is intended for use by controllers staffing approach, departure or center positions at ZLA.

4. BACKGROUND.

Pilots who fly out of smaller, infrequently staffed airports usually do not know whether they are expected to contact a higher facility such as APP or CTR for ATC services, and in the past different controllers have had different approaches to this which has added to the confusion. This SOP outlines general guidelines for what services should be provided at which fields when a TWR is not online at that facility.

5. REQUIREMENTS.

a. Airports within Class B, C or D surface areas:

If an airport within Class B, C, or D surface areas does not have an operating control tower, the next 'higher up' facility (such as APP or CTR) should normally provide TWR services at that airport, including takeoff and landing clearances, and VFR departure instructions except when:

1. Traffic load does not permit it and the pilot is advised.
2. The real-world tower would not be open at that time (such as at SNA TWR).

NOTE: Class B airports are KLAX, KLAS and KSAN. Class C airports are KSBA, KBUR, KONT, KRIV, and KSNA. Class D airports are KBFL, KCMA, KCNO, KCRQ, KEMT, KFUL, KGCN, KHHR, KHND, KIFP, KLGB, KMHV, KMYF, KOXR, KPMD KPOC, KRAL, KRNM, KSBP, KSDM, KSEE, KSMO, KSMX, KTOA, KVCV, KVGT, KVNY, KWHP, KWJF, KYUM.

b. All other airports:

At all other fields, the next higher-up ATC facility should simulate an uncontrolled field, and should utilize normal procedures for such circumstances including:

1. Allowing IFR arrivals to change to UNICOM frequency for their pattern entry and landing phases.
2. Terminating VFR services to arriving aircraft once the field is in sight or at the pilot's request whichever comes first.
3. Ending IFR departure clearances with the statement "hold for release" and issuing releases and release void times when the aircraft is ready for departure.
4. Instructing VFR departures who call before takeoff to call after departure.