AIM
11/3/22
(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.
Participating VFR aircraft will be separated
from IFR and other participating VFR 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.
(b)
When not assigned an altitude, the pilot
should coordinate with ATC prior to any altitude
change.
8.
Within the TRSA, traffic information on
observed but unidentified targets will, to the extent
possible, be provided to all IFR and participating
VFR aircraft. The pilot will be vectored upon request
to avoid the observed traffic, provided the aircraft to
be vectored is within the airspace under the
jurisdiction of the controller.
9.
Departing aircraft should inform ATC of their
intended destination and/or route of flight and
proposed cruising altitude.
10.
ATC will normally advise participating
VFR aircraft when leaving the geographical limits of
the TRSA. Radar service is not automatically
terminated with this advisory unless specifically
stated by the controller.
c. Class C Service.
This service provides, in
addition to basic radar service, approved separation
between IFR and VFR aircraft, and sequencing of
VFR arrivals to the primary airport.
d. Class B Service.
This service provides, in
addition to basic radar service, approved separation
of aircraft based on IFR, VFR, and/or weight, and
sequencing of VFR arrivals to the primary airport(s)
.
e. PILOT RESPONSIBILITY.
THESE SER-
VICES ARE NOT TO BE INTERPRETED AS
RELIEVING PILOTS OF THEIR RESPONSIBILI-
TIES TO SEE AND AVOID OTHER TRAFFIC
OPERATING IN BASIC VFR WEATHER CONDI-
TIONS, TO ADJUST THEIR OPERATIONS AND
FLIGHT PATH AS NECESSARY TO PRECLUDE
SERIOUS WAKE ENCOUNTERS, TO MAINTAIN
APPROPRIATE TERRAIN AND OBSTRUCTION
CLEARANCE, OR TO REMAIN IN WEATHER
Services Available to Pilots
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