AIM

8/15/19

4

−

1

−

12

Services Available to Pilots

1.

The controller suggests the vector and the

pilot concurs.

2.

A special program has been established and

vectoring service has been advertised.

3.

In the controller’s judgment the vector is

necessary for air safety.

e.

Radar navigation assistance (vectors) and other

radar derived information may be provided in
response to pilot requests. Many factors, such as
limitations of radar, volume of traffic, communica-
tions frequency, congestion, and controller workload
could prevent the controller from providing it.
Controllers have complete discretion for determining
if they are able to provide the service in a particular
case. Their decision not to provide the service in a
particular case is not subject to question.

4

−

1

−

18. Terminal Radar Services for VFR

Aircraft

a. Basic Radar Service:

1.

In addition to the use of radar for the control

of IFR aircraft, all commissioned radar facilities
provide the following basic radar services for VFR
aircraft:

(a)

Safety alerts.

(b)

Traffic advisories.

(c)

Limited radar vectoring (on a workload

permitting basis).

(d)

Sequencing at locations where proce-

dures have been established for this purpose and/or
when covered by a Letter of Agreement.

NOTE

−

When the stage services were developed, two basic radar
services (traffic advisories and limited vectoring) were
identified as “Stage I.” This definition became unneces-
sary and the term “Stage I” was eliminated from use. The
term “Stage II” has been eliminated in conjunction with
the airspace reclassification, and sequencing services to
locations with local procedures and/or letters of agreement
to provide this service have been included in basic services
to VFR aircraft. These basic services will still be provided
by all terminal radar facilities whether they include
Class B, Class C, Class D or Class E airspace. “Stage III”
services have been replaced with “Class B” and “TRSA”
service where applicable.

2.

Vectoring service may be provided when

requested by the pilot or with pilot concurrence when
suggested by ATC.

3.

Pilots of arriving aircraft should contact

approach control on the publicized frequency and
give their position, altitude, aircraft call sign, type
aircraft, radar beacon code (if transponder equipped),
destination, and request traffic information.

4.

Approach control will issue wind and

runway, except when the pilot states “have numbers”
or this information is contained in the ATIS broadcast
and the pilot states that the current ATIS information
has been received. Traffic information is provided on
a workload permitting basis. Approach control will
specify the time or place at which the pilot is to
contact the tower on local control frequency for
further landing information. Radar service is
automatically terminated and the aircraft need not be
advised of termination when an arriving VFR aircraft
receiving radar services to a tower

−

controlled airport

where basic radar service is provided has landed, or
to all other airports, is instructed to change to tower
or advisory frequency.  (See FAA Order JO 7110.65,
Air Traffic Control, Paragraph 5

−

1

−

13, Radar

Service Termination.)

5.

Sequencing for VFR aircraft is available at

certain terminal locations (see locations listed in the
Chart Supplement U.S.). The purpose of the service
is to adjust the flow of arriving VFR and IFR aircraft
into the traffic pattern in a safe and orderly manner
and to provide radar traffic information to departing
VFR aircraft. Pilot participation is urged but is not
mandatory. Traffic information is provided on a
workload permitting basis. Standard radar separation
between VFR or between VFR and IFR aircraft is not
provided.

(a)

Pilots of arriving VFR aircraft should

initiate radio contact on the publicized frequency
with approach control when approximately 25 miles
from the airport at which sequencing services are
being provided. On initial contact by VFR aircraft,
approach control will assume that sequencing service
is requested. After radar contact is established, the
pilot may use pilot navigation to enter the traffic
pattern or, depending on traffic conditions, approach
control may provide the pilot with routings or vectors
necessary for proper sequencing with other partici-
pating VFR and IFR traffic en route to the airport.
When a flight is positioned behind a preceding
aircraft and the pilot reports having that aircraft in