OPENING LINES Source: https://nbaa.org/, Editor, First published Dec 09, 2024 Being familiar with specific, timely information about destination airports is essential for safe approaches – and even more so for non-towered fields. In fact, according to the FAA, only 520 of the 5,082 public-use airports across the U.S. have air traffic control towers. So, it stands to reason that flights in and out of uncontrolled airports will more than likely occur at some time for any operator. Issued in 2023, FAA Advisory Circular 90-66C,“Non-Towered Airport Flight Operations,” provides a reliable resource to remind pilots about proper procedures for operating in that environment. “There is no reason to go in blind,” said Julia Harrington, a lead captain and base manager for Axis Jet on a Cessna Citation CJ2 and XLS out of Chicago Executive Airport (PWK). Harrington said at least 50% of her flights are to uncontrolled airports. VISUALLY VERIFY For Harrington, using instrument approaches at unfamiliar uncontrolled airports is standard practice. Around 10-15 minutes prior to landing, she begins to monitor and broadcast on the common traffic advisory frequency at the arrival airport to gauge upcoming traffic conditions. Utilizing additional resources such as the traffic alert and collision avoidance system gives pilots extra time to prepare for traffic, but it’s important to get visual verification upon arrival.“Visually verify what you think to be true,” Harrington said. BLEND INTO THE ENVIRONMENT Keith Wolzinger, who flies a Citation XL out of California’s John Wayne/Orange County Airport (SNA) for Paragon Airways, advises making position reports PILOTS OFFER TIPS FOR SAFELY APPROACHING NON-TOWERED AIRPORTS 9 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 12
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