Being familiar with specific, timely information about destination airports is essential for safe approaches – and even more so for non-towered fields.
In fact, according to the FAA, only 520 of the 5,082 public-use airports across the U.S. have air traffic control towers. So, it stands to reason that flights in and out of uncontrolled airports will more than likely occur at some time for any operator. Issued in 2023, FAA Advisory Circular 90-66C, “Non-Towered Airport Flight Operations,” provides a reliable resource to remind pilots about proper procedures for operating in that environment.
“There is no reason to go in blind,” said Julia Harrington, a lead captain and base manager for Axis Jet on a Cessna Citation CJ2 and XLS out of Chicago Executive Airport (PWK). Harrington said at least 50% of her flights are to uncontrolled airports.
Visually Verify
For Harrington, using instrument approaches at unfamiliar uncontrolled airports is standard practice. Around 10-15 minutes prior to landing, she begins to monitor and broadcast on the common traffic advisory frequency at the arrival airport to gauge upcoming traffic conditions.
Utilizing additional resources such as the traffic alert and collision avoidance system gives pilots extra time to prepare for traffic, but it’s important to get visual verification upon arrival. “Visually verify what you think to be true,” Harrington said.
Blend into the Environment
Keith Wolzinger, who flies a Citation XL out of California’s John Wayne/Orange County Airport (SNA) for Paragon Airways, advises making position reports by stating your distance from the destination airport and your intentions upon arrival. If you’re flying an approach, say so, Wolzinger said. About 20%-25% of Wolzinger’s operations are at uncontrolled fields.
“Blend into the environment as much as you can,” said Wolzinger, by planning to fly at airspeeds consistent with aircraft in the pattern or modifying your approach to lessen the impact on other aircraft in the vicinity.
Flying the traffic pattern when possible, and extending the downwind to follow slower aircraft, were also mentioned as tools when operating at an uncontrolled airport, which are all referred to in AC 90-66C.
Chapter 14 of the “Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge” also provides reminders for how to enter a visual traffic pattern. In addition, the book offers guidance about when it’s practical to utilize a 45-degree entry to downwind at pattern altitude.
Communicate to Be Understood
Communicating intentions to be understood by other pilots is essential, as not all pilots will understand locations of approach fixes. Using distance and direction from the airport is more understandable by all pilots.
Flexjet Director of Safety Tyler Boring, who’s based at Ohio’s Cuyahoga County Airport (CGF), said pilots can set the tone by reaching out on frequency ahead of time for situational awareness.
Communicating intentions along with your approach plan helps others on frequency understand. Flight crews can “help the process along by communicating and modifying course as necessary, depending on what is going on in the pattern,” Boring said.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.