Dec. 9, 2024
A new FAA Letter to Airmen (LTA) reminds operators at Colorado’s Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) to adhere to the long-standing opposite-direction protocols used to safely expedite traffic flow during peak demand.
“The mountainous terrain surrounding ASE creates unique challenges for aircraft operating at the airfield,” the FAA wrote. “During peak traffic hours, ASE operates a continuous flow of close-proximity opposite-direction operation involving multiple control instructions and pilot readbacks. Flight crews should ensure they are familiar with any issued clearances and review local procedures.”
“This LTA is a great overview of the very specific procedures that have been successfully used for many years at ASE,” said NBAA Senior Director, Air Traffic Services and Infrastructure Heidi Williams. “It is also a pertinent reminder that the efficiency and effectiveness of our National Airspace System is a collaborative effort and that operating into and out of any high-altitude, mountainous regions requires precision and awareness.”
Operators should also be familiar with the LINDZ standard instrument departure developed to allow for the safe and expeditious flow of opposite-direction traffic in and out of ASE, the FAA noted.
The local procedures are known as the “Westbound-in-Front-of” (WBIFO) and the “Wrap.” These procedures may operate independently of each other; however, during peak traffic, they often work in tandem, one procedure after the next, with aircraft continuously departing and arriving.
Air traffic control uses the WBIFO procedure when there is sufficient spacing on ASE’s Runway 15 final approach path to allow a Runway 33 departure to depart, climb through 9,100 feet MSL, and make a left turn to heading 273 to join the I-PKN outbound, passing in front of the arrival.
The Wrap procedure is used under visual meteorological conditions when a Runway 15 arrival is closer to the runway. It allows a departing aircraft to pass the arrival to the east and then turn westbound to heading 273 behind or above inbound traffic.
Clear instructions and graphics detailing controller clearances and headings are included in the LTA.
The FAA has previously stated in a 2022 Letter to Airmen to that these local procedures result in over 90% of landing aircraft using ASE’s Runway 15 and 95 percent of departing aircraft using Runway 33.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.