Control Tower without class D

"Danny Deger" wrote in message
...

Is the difference the class G airports don't have a precision approach.
If I recall the old Control Zones were put in place at airports with
precision approaches.


No. There were airports without control zones that had ILSs and airports
with control zones that did not have ILSs.

"Danny Deger" wrote in message
...

Does anyone know why the FAA doesn't just put class D airspace around
these airports?


Probably because it would have an adverse effect on operations.
Aeroplanner.com shows 34 helicopters based at GPM. Put a Class D surface
area there and there'd be a lot of requests for SVFR whenever the weather
was below VFR minima. SVFR aircraft have to be separated from each other
and from IFR aircraft.



This would make for a nice blue dash line on the map to
show the point the local tower must be contacted.


You're free to draw a nice blue dash circle around these airports on your
sectional.

Steven P. McNicoll wrote:
"Danny Deger" wrote in message
...
Is the difference the class G airports don't have a precision approach.
If I recall the old Control Zones were put in place at airports with
precision approaches.


No. There were airports without control zones that had ILSs and airports
with control zones that did not have ILSs.


Generally, it was an instrument approach and someone (now something) on
the ground to report the weather. But there were exceptions to that
even.

"Ron Natalie" wrote in message
m...

Generally, it was an instrument approach and someone (now something) on
the ground to report the weather. But there were exceptions to that
even.


No exceptions to the weather reporting requirement.

wrote in message
oups.com...

Yes. Read 91.126(d) in CFR14 (used to be FAR's). It talks about
operating in vicinity of an airport in class G airspace. Scroll down
to (d) and it talks about communication with control towers.

A couple of examples are Fort Worth Spinks (KFWS) and Grand Prairie
(KGPM) on the south side of Dallas. There are other examples out
there.

Does anyone know why the FAA doesn't just put class D airspace around these
airports? This would make for a nice blue dash line on the map to show the
point the local tower must be contacted.

Danny Deger

You can view the sectional charts here http://skyvector.com/

And below is the relevant text from 14 CFR 91.126(d)

************************************************** ***************

§ 91.126 Operating on or in the vicinity of an airport in Class G
airspace.
top

(d) Communications with control towers. Unless otherwise authorized or
required by ATC, no person may operate an aircraft to, from, through,
or on an airport having an operational control tower unless two-way
radio communications are maintained between that aircraft and the
control tower. Communications must be established prior to 4 nautical
miles from the airport, up to and including 2,500 feet AGL. However,
if the aircraft radio fails in flight, the pilot in command may
operate that aircraft and land if weather conditions are at or above
basic VFR weather minimums, visual contact with the tower is
maintained, and a clearance to land is received. If the aircraft radio
fails while in flight under IFR, the pilot must comply with §91.185.

[Doc. No. 24458, 56 FR 65658, Dec. 17, 1991, as amended by Amdt. 91-
239, 59 FR 11693, Mar. 11, 1994; Amdt. 91-282, 69 FR 44880, July 27,
2004]

************************************************** *************************

On May 15, 9:52 pm, "Danny Deger" wrote:
In another thread, I have just read that there might be controlled
airports
without having class D airspace, and pilots are supposed to know this and
know to contact the tower and stay of their non-class D airspace if they
are
not in contact with the tower.

Can anyone confirm this?

Danny Deger

"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote in message
link.net...

"Newps" wrote in message
...

Class G towers are temporary in nature. When we set up fire towers every
summer they are most often in class G.

Towers in a Class E surface area are temporary in nature. If the tower is
to be permanent the airspace will eventually become Class D.

Towers in Class G airspace may be temporary or permanent.


Is the difference the class G airports don't have a precision approach. If
I recall the old Control Zones were put in place at airports with precision
approaches.

Danny Deger



I wouldn't worry about the rules as we controllers are really lax at
places like this. There are no tapes and the level of traffic is low.
The runway separation rules are just a guideline. We're not sending
someone around because we're a mere 500 feet short on the separation.
You're only going to know about class G towers by notam.



The runway separation rules are as applicable at towers in Class G
airspace as they are anywhere else.

On May 15, 10:40 am, wrote:
Yes. Read 91.126(d) in CFR14 (used to be FAR's). It talks about
operating in vicinity of an airport in class G airspace. Scroll down
to (d) and it talks about communication with control towers.

A couple of examples are Fort Worth Spinks (KFWS) and Grand Prairie
(KGPM) on the south side of Dallas. There are other examples out
there.

You can view the sectional charts herehttp://skyvector.com/

And below is the relevant text from 14 CFR 91.126(d)

************************************************** ***************

§ 91.126 Operating on or in the vicinity of an airport in Class G
airspace.
top

(d) Communications with control towers. Unless otherwise authorized or
required by ATC, no person may operate an aircraft to, from, through,
or on an airport having an operational control tower unless two-way
radio communications are maintained between that aircraft and the
control tower. Communications must be established prior to 4 nautical
miles from the airport, up to and including 2,500 feet AGL. However,
if the aircraft radio fails in flight, the pilot in command may
operate that aircraft and land if weather conditions are at or above
basic VFR weather minimums, visual contact with the tower is
maintained, and a clearance to land is received. If the aircraft radio
fails while in flight under IFR, the pilot must comply with §91.185.

[Doc. No. 24458, 56 FR 65658, Dec. 17, 1991, as amended by Amdt. 91-
239, 59 FR 11693, Mar. 11, 1994; Amdt. 91-282, 69 FR 44880, July 27,
2004]

************************************************** *************************

On May 15, 9:52 pm, "Danny Deger" wrote:



In another thread, I have just read that there might be controlled airports
without having class D airspace, and pilots are supposed to know this and
know to contact the tower and stay of their non-class D airspace if they are
not in contact with the tower.

Can anyone confirm this?

Danny Deger- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -