Orlando International ATCT
Table of Updates
| Date | Revision | Items Revised |
|---|---|---|
| 12 May 2023 | A | Turboprops shall receive the Citrus# Departure |
| 21 June 2023 | B | Removal LOAs, Added LUAW Section, Organization |
Area Information
| ICAO Code | Airport Name | Airspace | IFR Beacon Codes | VFR Beacon Codes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KMCO | Orlando International Airport | B | 0701-0777 | 0701-0777 |
| Purpose This document prescribes the procedures to be utilized for providing air traffic control services at the Orlando Air Traffic Control Tower (MCO ATCT). The procedures described herein are supplemental to the Jacksonville ARTCC Facility Operating Guidelines and FAA Order JO 7110.65, as well as any published FAA guidelines or procedures. Distribution |
Operational Positions
| Position | Radio Name | Callsign | Relief Callsign | Symbol | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clearance Delivery | Orlando Clearance Delivery | MCO_DEL | MCO_1_DEL | 4OD | 134.700 |
| East Ground | Orlando Ground | MCO_E_GND | MCO_E1_GND | 4EG | 126.400 |
| West Ground | Orlando Ground | MCO_W_GND | MCO_W1_GND | 4WG | 121.800 |
| West Tower | Orlando Tower | MCO_W_TWR | MCO_W1_TWR | 4WT | 124.300 |
| East Tower | Orlando Tower | MCO_E_TWR | MCO_E1_TWR | 4ET | 118.450 |
Sector in Red is the primary sector.
Clearance Delivery
Clearance Delivery Responsibilities
The Clearance Delivery Controller Must:
- Formulate and issue all IFR and VFR clearances to aircraft departing this field.
- Review proposed flight plan information for accuracy and amend routings and altitudes, as necessary, in accordance with this SOP.
- Enter amendments to flight plans into the controller client as required and advise the pilot what those amendments are.
- Issue clearances or route changes to aircraft, as required complying with traffic management initiatives and/or weather avoidance.
- Forward and await a response on all non-standard routing requests to the affected facilities.
- During Events: Do not change routes or proposal times for aircraft participating in Traffic Management programs without prior coordination with the controller in charge.
Pre-Departure Clearances
It is advisable that ALL controllers issue PDCs for departures for KMCO INTL ATCT
PDC Commands
For Pilot Navigation SIDS
If Orlando Approach or Jacksonville Center is Online: .pdcr {Departure Runway} {Dep Frequency ID}
If Orlando Approach and Jacksonville Center is Offline: .pdcru {Departure Runway}
For Radar Vector SIDS
If Orlando Approach or Jacksonville Center is Online: .pdco {Departure Runway} {Dep Frequency ID}
If Orlando Approach and Jacksonville Center is Offline: .pdcou {Departure Runway}
IFR Departures
Planned/Amended Routing
RNAV Departure: All Aircraft shall be "cleared via {Departure} {Fix} Transition then as filed" unless a route amendment is necessary.
Non-Rnav Jets: Aircraft shall be "cleared via ORL# departure radar vector {fix} then as filed" unless a route amendment is necessary.
Non-Rnav Turboprops/props: Aircraft shall be "cleared via CITR# departure radar vector {fix} then as filed" unless a route amendment is necessary.
Departures
- CITR= (Turboprops and Props Only)/li>
- DDANY= Southeast Bound (Turbojets Only)
- FATHE= North Bound (Turbojets Only)
- FSHUN= Southwest Bound (Turbojets and Turboprops Only)
- JEEMY= North Bound (Turbojets Only)
- MZULO= Northeast Bound (Turbojets Only)
- ORL
- OSPRY= West and Southwest Bound (Turbojets Only)
- RDSOX= West Bound (Turbojets Only)
Note: Scratchpad entry shall be entered for all departures out of Orlando. The scratchpad should contain the first 3 letters of the departures except when using the ORL/CITR. It shall then contain the first three letters of the Departure Transition Area. Flight plan routing information for the ORLA# and CITR# SID SHALL include the DTA in place of the SID name followed by the remainder of the route.
Assigned Altitudes
All Pilot Navigational SID Departures shall be instructed to "climb via SID"
Pilots on the ORL# departure shall be instructed to "maintain 7,000" to expect filed cruise altitude (if higher) 10 minutes after departure.
Pilots on the CITR# departure shall be instructed to "maintain 2,000" to expect filed cruise altitude (if higher) 10 minutes after departure.
Departure Frequency
The Primary Departure Frequency is MCO_E_APP on 124.800.
Squawk Assignment
All IFR Squawk codes will be auto-assigned by the controller client.
It should assign a code between 0701-0777. Controllers shall not change the auto-assigned code if a code between 0701-0777 is not assigned.
| Direction | DTA | Associated Fixes |
|---|---|---|
| West | CAMAN | CTY, SZW, OCF, KNOST, BULZI, HEVVN, PATOY, BRUTS |
| Southwest | KLMAN | RSW, SRQ, CYY |
| Southeast | ATLAS | MLB, TRV, PBI, FLL |
| Northeast | WORMS | CRG, OMN, SGJ, SSI |
| Northwest | MICKI | TAY, OTK |
| Direction | DTA | Associated Fixes |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest | CAMAN | CTY, SZW, OCF, BULZI, HEVVN |
| Southwest | KLMAN | RSW, SRQ, CYY |
| Southwest | KNEED | PIE, MCF, LAL |
| Southeast | TPSTR | TRV, PBI, FLL, MLB, PHK |
| North | WORMS | TAY, CRG, OMN, SGJ, SSI |
Aircraft with none of the above as their first fixes shall use the departure gate closest to their first fix as long as the fix is outside of the F11 airspace. a. Example: Aircraft filed directly to PAM (not listed) shall be routed through CAMAN.
VFR Departures
Clearance
VFR Aircraft do need explicit clearance to "into" or "out of" the airspace.
All VFR remaining in the pattern will require coordination with the tower and will be directed to contact when ready for taxi.
Assigned Altitudes
Not Remaining in the Pattern
Jet: VFR aircraft shall be instructed to maintain VFR at or below 2,000.
Turboprops: VFR aircraft shall be instructed to maintain VFR at or below 2,000.
Props: VFR aircraft shall be instructed to maintain VFR at or below 1,500.
Departure Frequency
Aircraft not remaining in the pattern shall be given the Departure Frequency is MCO_E_APP on 124.800.
Aircraft remaining in the pattern shall not be given a departure frequency.
Squawk Assignment
VFR Squawk codes shall be assigned by the controller client using the assign squawk feature in their controller client for all traffic.
Ground
General Information
Ground Control Responsibilities
The Ground Controller is responsible for the movement of vehicles and aircraft on the airport movement areas except for the active runway(s)
ATIS
Ground control shall confirm all pilots have the current ATIS code PRIOR to commencing taxi to the active runway. This can be achieved by requesting the pilot "state the current ATIS code". The ATIS is the responsibility of the tower controller.
Active Runway Operations
Except for runway crossings, Ground Control must transfer communication to Local Control if a vehicle/aircraft is to operate on a runway. Coordination for all runway crossings must be accomplished by requesting permission from local control by stating "(Number of Aircraft) to cross Runway (#) at Taxiway (Letter). Once approved and crossing has been granted and the crossing has been observed, ground control must state to local control "Runway (#) crossing complete"
Intersection Departures
Ground Control must advise local control of all intersection departures verbally.
Opposite Direction Departures
Ground Control must coordinate and obtain approval from Local Control, prior to taxiing an aircraft to a runway for an opposite-direction departure.
Pushback and Startup
Push back into a controlled area: Aircraft shall be instructed: "Push and Start Approved, tail facing (direction)." The direction should keep the aircraft pointed in the direction the aircraft will taxi.
Push back will not enter a controlled area: Aircraft shall be instructed: "Push and start at pilot's discretion."
Runway Assignments
GC shall taxi aircraft to the appropriate runway for their direction of flight. GC shall use Departure Runway Assignments at all times.
Note: Aircraft parked at the west ramp (FBO, Cargo Areas) can be assigned runway 18R/36L for departure as long as coordinated with Local Control and F11 Tracon if they are a cross-complex departure.
| West Complex (18L, 18R, 36L, 36R) | East Complex (17L, 17R, 35L, 35R) |
|---|---|
| OSPRI# FSHUN# RDSOX# JEEMY# MICKI KLMAN CAMAN |
DDANY# FATHE# MZULO# WORMS ATLAS TPSTR |
Split Ground Procedures
Taxi aircraft via taxiways E and F in accordance and instruct the pilot to change ground control frequencies at the bridge.
Taxi aircraft via taxiway J in accordance with the following:
a. During MCO South Operations… Taxiway J is one way westbound between J2 and J3. GC East must instruct aircraft to hold short of J2 and contact GC West at the bridge.
b. During MCO North Operations… Taxiway J is one way eastbound between J2 and J3. GC West must instruct aircraft to hold short of J3 and contact GC East at the bridge.
| Network Callsign | Taxi Route | Hold Short Point |
|---|---|---|
| MCO_W_GND | East on E | E4 |
| MCO_E_GND | West on F | E2 |
Taxi Operations
GC shall only taxi aircraft east on taxiway E. GC shall only taxi aircraft west on taxiway F. GC shall utilize taxiway H and taxiway B for arrival aircraft. GC shall utilize taxiway C and taxiway G for departing aircraft.
Transfer of Communication
Departing aircraft shall be instructed to contact the local control frequency upon or slightly before holding short the runway for departure. Local control has the option to have the pilot "monitor" the frequency. If a pilot is going to monitor, ground control must send a private message via the controller client of the aircraft with their callsign and runway.
Tower
Active Runway Selection
The active runway shall be determined based on wind and known factors that may affect the safety of takeoff/landing operations.
South configuration is designated as the calm wind runway.
7110.65Z Runway Selection
Area of responsibility
LC has responsibility for a two-mile by two-mile box from surface up to and including 2,000 MSL. LC has responsibility for all taxiways between parallel runways. LC West is responsible for arrivals and departures on Runway 18L/R & 36L/R, all taxiways between Runway 18L/R & 36 L/R. LC East is responsible for arrivals and departures on Runway 17L/R & 35R/L and all taxiways between Runway 17L/R & 35R/L
Arrival Procedures
LC shall be responsible for separation of all arrival aircraft that have been handed off by TRACON from all departing aircraft still under LC jurisdiction
Practice Instrument Approaches: Issue special instructions as verbally coordinated with the TRACON. Practice Instrument Approaches shall assign runway heading and maintain 3,000 feet. Departure frequency as assigned by approach control.
LC shall NOT change the approach sequence without coordination. Communication transfer must be completed prior to five nautical miles from the runway.
Automatic Terminal Information Service
LC shall manage the ATIS
The ATIS shall be on: DEP 120.525, ARR 121.250
Automatic Releases
LC is authorized automatic releases from the TRACON controller so long as the aircraft departs on the pre-coordinated active departing runway(s) on approved departure headings
In order for automatic releases to be authorized, procedures in this document shall be followed.
Departure releases must be obtained if automatic releases are suspended by TRACON.
Departure Procedures
LC will provide separation for aircraft in the LC airspace. LC shall provide initial radar separation between successive departures. When automatic departures are in effect, IFR jet/turbojet departures shall be released on the appropriate heading climbing to 3,000 feet. When automated departures are in effect, VFR may be released on the appropriate heading climbing at or below 3,000.
Departure Headings
Standard Turbojet Departure Headings
East Operations
Runways 8 and 14 Traffic Departing to the South Sector: Heading 140.
Runway 8 Traffic Departing to the North Sector: Heading 080.
Runway 14 Traffic Departing to the North Sector: Heading 100.
West Operations
Runways 26 and 32 Traffic Departing to the South Sector: Heading 220.
Runway 26 and 32 Traffic Departing to the North Sector: Heading 320.
Exception: Traffic Going to the southwest during west operations will be given a heading of 320.
Standard PROP departure Headings
Assign an alternate departure heading as depicted to achieve separation between IFR prop departures.
Go Around/ Unplanned Missed Approaches
East Operations: LC shall assign a heading of 070 and 2,000 feet.
West Operations: LC shall assign a heading of 320 and 2,000 feet.
LC must verbally coordinate with departure prior to frequency change.
Land and Hold Short
N/A
Line Up and Wait
Line up and wait is authorized at this field only in VMC Conditions. LUAW departures from an intersection are only authorized between sunrise and sunset.
Traffic Pattern
The VFR pattern will be at or below 1,500 feet. Runway 8 and 32 will utilize left hand pattern. Runway 14 and 26 will utilize right hand pattern.
Visual Tower
Jacksonville ATCT is a visual/VFR tower and shall not initiate or accept any radar handoffs and shall not initiate control/start track on any target.