AIM 

4/20/23 

requests should be submitted through the air traffic facility as early as possible. Pilots should contact the facility 

and advise them of the number of persons in the group, the time and date of the proposed visit, and the primary 

interest of the group. The air traffic facility will provide further instructions if a request can be approved. 

REFERENCE

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FAA Order 1600.69, FAA Facility Security Management Program. 

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7.  Operation Rain Check 

Operation Rain Check is a program designed and managed by local air traffic control facility management. Its 

purpose is to familiarize pilots and aspiring pilots with the ATC system, its functions, responsibilities and 

benefits. 

REFERENCE

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FAA Order JO 7210.3, Para 4

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2, Pilot Education. 

FAA Order 1600.69, FAA Facility Security Management Program. 

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8.  Approach Control Service for VFR Arriving Aircraft 

a. 

Numerous approach control facilities have established programs for arriving VFR aircraft to contact 

approach control for landing information. This information includes: wind, runway, and altimeter setting at the 

airport of intended landing. This information may be omitted if contained in the Automatic Terminal Information 

Service (ATIS) broadcast and the pilot states the appropriate ATIS code. 

NOTE

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Pilot use of “have numbers” does not indicate receipt of the ATIS broadcast. In addition, the controller will provide traffic 

advisories on a workload permitting basis. 

b. 

Such information will be furnished upon initial contact with concerned approach control facility. The pilot 

will be requested to change to the 

tower

 frequency at a predetermined time or point, to receive further landing 

information. 

c. 

Where available, use of this procedure will not hinder the operation of VFR flights by requiring excessive 

spacing between aircraft or devious routing. 

d. 

Compliance with this procedure is not mandatory but pilot participation is encouraged. 

REFERENCE

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AIM, Para 4

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18, Terminal Radar Services for VFR Aircraft. 

NOTE

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Approach control services for VFR aircraft are normally dependent on ATC radar. These services are not available during 

periods of a radar outage. 

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9.  Traffic Advisory Practices at Airports Without Operating Control Towers 

(See TBL 4

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1.) 

a.  Airport Operations Without Operating Control Tower 

1. 

There is no substitute for alertness while in the vicinity of an airport. It is essential that pilots be alert and 

look for other traffic and exchange traffic information when approaching or departing an airport without an 

operating control tower. This is of particular importance since other aircraft may not have communication 

capability or, in some cases, pilots may not communicate their presence or intentions when operating into or out 

of such airports. To achieve the greatest degree of safety, it is essential that: 

(a) 

All radio

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equipped aircraft transmit/receive on a common frequency identified for the purpose of 

airport advisories; and 

(b) 

Pilots use the correct airport name, as identified in appropriate aeronautical publications, to reduce 

the risk of confusion when communicating their position, intentions, and/or exchanging traffic information. 

2. 

An airport may have a full or part-time tower or FSS located on the airport, a full or part-time UNICOM 

station or no aeronautical station at all. There are three ways for pilots to communicate their intention and obtain 

Services Available to Pilots 

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