CHS SOP
Area Information
| ICAO Code | Airport Name | Airspace | IFR Beacon Codes | VFR Beacon Codes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KCHS | Charleston Air Force Base/International Airport | C | 7301-7337 | 7301-7337 |
Purpose:
This document prescribes the procedures to be utilized for providing air traffic control services at the Charleston Air Traffic Control Tower (CHS ATCT) and TRACON. 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:
This order is distributed to all Jacksonville ARTCC personnel.
Operational Positions
| Position | Radio Name | Callsign | Relief Callsign | Symbol | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clearance Delivery | Charleston Clearance Delivery | CHS_DEL | CHS_1_DEL | 8CD | 127.325 |
| Ground | Charleston Ground | CHS_GND | CHS_1_GND | 8CG | 121.900 |
| Tower | Charleston Tower | CHS_TWR | CHS_1_TWR | 8CT | 119.500 |
| Position | Sector Name | Callsign | Relief Callsign | Symbol | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WR | Radar West | CHS_W_APP | CHS_1W_APP | 8WR | 120.700 |
| RF | Radar East | CHS_E_APP | CHS_1E_APP | 8ER | 119.300 |
Sector in Red is the primary sector.
ATCT Information
IFR Departure Instructions
Clearance/Route
All Aircraft shall be "Cleared as filed" unless a route amend is necessary. All routes must comply with LOA-approved standards. Aircraft unable to accept preferred route require coordination between all affected facilities.
Pronouciation
- LGRHD = Loggerhead
- MLTRE = Mull Tree
- PLMTO = Palmetto
- STUNO = Stuno
- SWPFX = Swamp Fox
Altitude
Instruct all pilots that are not conducting practice approaches to maintain 4,000 feet and to expect filed cruise altitude (If higher) ten minutes after departure. All filed cruise altitudes must be checked for validity for the direction of flight and/or LOAs.
Instruct all pilots who are conducting practice approaches to maintain 2,000 feet.
Note: all flights outbound on the east side of the FL peninsula shall be assigned an even altitude if landing within the zma airspace.
Departure Frequency
The Primary Departure Frequency is CHS_W_APP on 120.700. Updates to the Departure Frequency will be given by the TRACON controller.
Transponder
All departing aircraft shall be assigned a trasnponder code between 7301-7337.
VFR Departure Instructions
Altitude
If Aircraft is not remaining in the pattern, issue the instruction "Maintain VFR below 3,500 feet".
Departure Frequency
VFR aircraft not remaining within the pattern shall be given a departure frequency. The Primary Departure Frequency is CHS_W_APP on 120.700. Updates to the Departure Frequency will be given by the TRACON controller.
Transponder
All VFR aircraft shall be assigned a trasponder code between 7301-7337.
Pushback and Startup
GC does not authorize pushbacks or startups unless the aircraft
pushing back will enter a controlled area during pushback.
- In these instances, aircraft should be instructed “Push and start approved, push tail facing (direction).” The direction should keep the aircraft pointed in the direction the aircraft will taxi.
- If the pilot calls to push, and no controlled area will be penetrated, simply advise the pilot “Push and start at pilot's discretion.”
Intersection Departure
GC must advise LC of all intersection departures verbally or through the chatbox.
ATIS
GC shall ensure pilots have the current ATIS prior to the aircraft being handed off to LC.
Active Runway Operations
GC must transfer communications to LC if an aircraft is to operate on an active runway.
Handoffs
GC shall instruct aircraft to “Contact Charleston Tower 126.000” unless otherwise agreed upon by LC. LC can request pilot monitor the frequency instead of contacting.
Area of Responsiblity
LC is responsible for providing air traffic control services on all active runways. LC is also responsible for the CHS Local Control Departure Area.
File:CHS LC.JPG.jpg
Active Runway Selection
The active runway shall be determined based on wind and known factors that may affect the safety of takeoff/landing operations.
North operations is designated as the calm wind runways. Calm wind operations shall be preferred when the tailwind component is five knots or less.
- North Ops: Arriving: Runway 33 - Departing: Runway 3
- South Ops: Arriving: Runway 15 - Departing: Runway 21
Occasionally, operational factors may require a shift to Runway 15 and 3 or Runway 33 and 21. These are non-standard configurations and must be coordinated with 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, departures shall be released on a fanned heading that will conform to the the applicable departure corridor, climbing to an appropriate altitude..
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
Communication transfer must be completed prior to five nautical miles from the runway.
Practice Instrument Approaches: Issue special instructions as verbally coordinated with the TRACON.
LC shall NOT change the approach sequence without coordination.
Go Around/unplanned Missed Approach
- LC shall assign IFR aircraft runway heading and 2,000 feet
- LC must verbally coordinate with departure prior to frequency change.
Automatic Release
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.
Depa
Future releases must be obtained if automatic releases are suspended by TRACON.
Visual Tower
Charleston 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.
ATIS
LC shall manage the ATIS for KCAE
Land and Hold Short (LASHO) Procedures
LAHSO operations are authorized at CHS. During LAHSO Operations, if requested by the pilot, issue the following available distances for CHS:
- Runway 15, available landing distance 5,700 feet.
- Runway 33, available landing distance 2,900 feet.
- Runway 3, available landing distance 5,500 feet.
TRACON Information
Sectorization Description
The primary “combined” radar position shall be WR. No other sectors shall be staffed until the “combined” position is already in use.
Once WR is in use, WR may delegate a portion of its airspace to ER
Unless otherwise coordinated, WR and ER are responsible for areas depicted
WR and ER provide overflight services and approach sequence to aircraft landing in the Charleston ATCT airspace
VFR Aircraft
VFR Aircraft entering the Class Charlie airspace will be given a discrete beacon code.
If an aircraft departs from CHS and does not request a flight following, the aircraft will be handed off from LC to TRACON and released to UNICOM once clear of the Class Charlie.
Handoff and Radar Tracking
Charleston ATCT is a VFR tower. No radar handoffs shall be initiated to LC. TRACON controllers shall not drop track on any arriving aircraft. This allows a controller to maintain radar identification during missed approach.
Release and Rolling Calls
TRACON sectors give automatic releases to all departures from Charleston ATCT when departures follow the standard departure procedures as specified in this document.
All other airports within TRACON’s boundaries shall request a departure release. Upon approval of the release, the release shall be good for five minutes.
Upon issuance of the takeoff clearance, a departure message shall be sent to the appropriate departure sector. This can be accomplished non-verbally by the LC ensuring the aircraft is squawking the appropriate squawk code and mode C is enabled when airborne.
TRACON Departure Procedures
Forward departure instructions to LC for aircraft executing practice missed approaches.
Ensure all departures are on course as soon as practical.
All departures should be on course before handoff to Enroute Control unless otherwise coordinated. Aircraft shall be climbed to 10,000 or less if filed.
Provide airspace for automatic departures and radar final.
Provide airspace for missed approach on all runways.
TRACON Arrival Procedures
The sector responsible for the primary runway shall establish the approach sequence for all arrivals.
Communications transfer of arriving aircraft to LC must be accomplished no later than five nautical miles from the end of the arrival runway.
When simultaneous approaches are being conducted on converging runways, LC is responsible for ensuring runway separation. However, TRACON must provide enough spacing to minimize the possibility of a go-around.
When vectoring to final from parallel downwinds, aircraft on opposing base legs shall be assigned altitudes to ensure vertical separation unless other approved separation has been applied. This ensures separation in the event of an overshoot on final.
Coordinate with LC for any aircraft conducting approaches to other runways than the active arrival runway(s) in use.
Responsibility
WR area of jurisdiction is the CHS approach control airspace west of the Runway 15/33 extended centerline, surface up to 10,000’ MSL. WR is responsible for departure control for westbound.
Responsibility
ER area of jurisdiction is the CHS approach control airspace east of the Runway 15/33 extended centerline, surface up to 10,000’ MSL. ER is responsible for departure control for eastbound
traffic..
