AIM
8/15/19
4
−
1
−
13
Services Available to Pilots
sight, the pilot will be instructed to follow the
preceding aircraft. THE ATC INSTRUCTION TO
FOLLOW THE PRECEDING AIRCRAFT DOES
NOT AUTHORIZE THE PILOT TO
COMPLY
WITH ANY ATC CLEARANCE OR INSTRUC-
TION ISSUED TO THE PRECEDING AIRCRAFT.
If other “nonparticipating” or “local” aircraft are in
the traffic pattern, the tower will issue a landing
sequence. If an arriving aircraft does not want radar
service, the pilot should state “NEGATIVE RADAR
SERVICE” or make a similar comment, on initial
contact with approach control.
(b)
Pilots of departing VFR aircraft are
encouraged to request radar traffic information by
notifying ground control, or where applicable,
clearance delivery, on initial contact with their
request and proposed direction of flight.
EXAMPLE
−
Xray ground control, November One Eight Six, Cessna One
Seventy Two, ready to taxi, VFR southbound at 2,500, have
information bravo and request radar traffic information.
NOTE
−
Following takeoff, the tower will advise when to contact
departure control.
(c)
Pilots of aircraft transiting the area and in
radar contact/communication with approach control
will receive traffic information on a controller
workload permitting basis. Pilots of such aircraft
should give their position, altitude, aircraft call sign,
aircraft type, radar beacon code (if transponder
equipped), destination, and/or route of flight.
b. TRSA Service (Radar Sequencing and
Separation Service for VFR Aircraft in a TRSA).
1.
This service has been implemented at certain
terminal locations. The service is advertised in the
Chart Supplement U.S. The purpose of this service is
to provide separation between all participating VFR
aircraft and all IFR aircraft operating within the
airspace defined as the Terminal Radar Service Area
(TRSA). Pilot participation is urged but is not
mandatory.
2.
If any aircraft does not want the service, the
pilot should state “NEGATIVE TRSA SERVICE” or
make a similar comment, on initial contact with
approach control or ground control, as appropriate.
3.
TRSAs are depicted on sectional aeronautical
charts and listed in the Chart Supplement U.S.
4.
While operating within a TRSA, pilots are
provided TRSA service and separation as prescribed
in this paragraph. In the event of a radar outage,
separation and sequencing of VFR aircraft will be
suspended as this service is dependent on radar. The
pilot will be advised that the service is not available
and issued wind, runway information, and the time or
place to contact the tower. Traffic information will be
provided on a workload permitting basis.
5.
Visual separation is used when prevailing
conditions permit and it will be applied as follows:
(a)
When a VFR flight is positioned behind a
preceding aircraft and the pilot reports having that
aircraft in sight, the pilot will be instructed by ATC to
follow the preceding aircraft. Radar service will be
continued to the runway. THE ATC INSTRUCTION
TO FOLLOW THE PRECEDING AIRCRAFT
DOES NOT AUTHORIZE THE PILOT TO
COMPLY WITH ANY ATC CLEARANCE OR
INSTRUCTION ISSUED TO THE PRECEDING
AIRCRAFT.
(b)
If other “nonparticipating” or “local”
aircraft are in the traffic pattern, the tower will issue
a landing sequence.
(c)
Departing VFR aircraft may be asked if
they can visually follow a preceding departure out of
the TRSA. The pilot will be instructed to follow the
other aircraft provided that the pilot can maintain
visual contact with that aircraft.
6.
VFR aircraft will be separated from VFR/IFR
aircraft by one of the following:
(a)
500 feet vertical separation.
(b)
Visual separation.
(c)
Target resolution (a process to ensure that
correlated radar targets do not touch).
7.
Participating pilots operating VFR in a
TRSA:
(a)
Must maintain an altitude when assigned
by ATC unless the altitude assignment is to maintain
at or below a specified altitude. ATC may assign
altitudes for separation that do not conform to
14 CFR Section 91.159. When the altitude assign-
ment is no longer needed for separation or when
leaving the TRSA, the instruction will be broadcast,
“RESUME APPROPRIATE VFR ALTITUDES.”
Pilots must then return to an altitude that conforms to
14 CFR Section 91.159 as soon as practicable.