Apply Class C service procedures within the designated Class C airspace and the associated outer area. The Class C services are designed to keep ATC informed of all aircraft within the Class C airspace, not to exclude operations. Two-way radio communications and operational transponder are normally required for operations within Class C airspace, but operations without radio communications or transponder can be conducted by letter of agreement, facility directive, or special arrangement with Class C airspace controlling facility.
REFERENCE -
FAAO 7110.65, Visual Separation, paragraph 7-2-1.
Part 91.215, ATC Transponder and Altitude Reporting Equipment and Use.
a. Class C services include the following:
1. Sequencing of all aircraft to the primary airport.
2. Standard IFR services to IFR aircraft.
3. Separation, traffic advisories, and safety alerts between
IFR and VFR aircraft.
4. Mandatory traffic advisories and safety alerts between VFR
aircraft.
b. Provide Class C services to all aircraft operating within
the Class C airspace.
c. Provide Class C services to all participating aircraft in
the outer area.
d. Aircraft should not normally be held. However, if holding
is necessary, inform the pilot of the expected length of delay.
e. When a radar outage occurs, advise aircraft that Class C services
are not available and, if appropriate, when to contact the tower.
REFERENCE -
FAAO 7110.65, Visual Separation, paragraph 7-2-1.
Separate VFR aircraft from IFR aircraft by any one of the following:
a. Visual separation as specified in paragraph 7-2-1, paragraph
7-4-2, and paragraph 7-6-7.
NOTE -
Issue wake turbulence cautionary advisories in accordance with paragraph
2-1-20.
b. 500 feet vertical separation;
c. Target resolution when using broadband radar systems. The
application of target resolution at locations not using broadband radar
will be individually approved by the Program Director for Air Traffic Operations,
ATO-1.
NOTE -
Apply the provisions of Minima, paragraph 5-5-3, when wake turbulence
separation is required.
REFERENCE -
FAAO 7110.65, Visual Separation, paragraph 7-2-1.
7-8-4 Establishing Two-Way Communications
Class C service requires pilots to establish two-way radio communications before entering the Class C airspace. If the controller responds to a radio call with, "(a/c callsign) standby," radio communications have been established and the pilot can enter Class C airspace. If workload or traffic conditions prevent immediate provision of Class C services, inform the pilot to remain outside the Class C airspace until conditions permit the services to be provided.
PHRASEOLOGY -
(a/c callsign) REMAIN OUTSIDE CHARLIE AIRSPACE AND STANDBY.
REFERENCE -
FAAO 7110.65, Visual Separation, paragraph 7-2-1.
a. When necessary to assign altitudes to VFR aircraft, assign
altitudes that meet the MVA, minimum safe altitude, or minimum IFR altitude
criteria.
b. Aircraft assigned altitudes which are contrary to FAR 91.159
shall be advised to resume altitudes appropriate for the direction of flight
when the altitude is no longer needed for separation, when leaving the
outer area, or when terminating Class C service.
PHRASEOLOGY -
RESUME APPROPRIATE VFR ALTITUDES.
REFERENCE -
FAAO 7110.65, Visual Separation, paragraph 7-2-1.
a. VFR helicopters need not be separated from IFR helicopters.
Traffic information and safety alerts shall be issued as appropriate.
b. Hot air balloons need not be separated from IFR aircraft.
Traffic information and safety alerts shall be issued as appropriate.
7-8-7 Adjacent Airport Operations
a. Aircraft that will penetrate the Class C airspace after departing
controlled airports within or adjacent to Class C airspace shall be provided
the same services as those aircraft departing the primary airport. Procedures
for handling this situation shall be covered in a letter of agreement or
a facility directive as appropriate.
b. Aircraft departing uncontrolled airports within Class C airspace
shall be handled using procedures advertised in a letter to airmen.
Unless aircraft are landing at secondary airports or have requested termination of service while in the outer area, provide services until the aircraft departs the associated outer area. Terminate ARSA service to aircraft landing at other than the primary airport at a sufficient distance from the airport to allow the pilot to change to the appropriate frequency for traffic and airport information.
PHRASEOLOGY -
CHANGE TO ADVISORY FREQUENCY APPROVED,
or
CONTACT (facility identification)