R in a Circle (Airport Surveillance Radar) on VFR charts

The R in a circle symbol next to an airport on Sectionals nindicates
that this airport has Airport Surveillance Radar. But what does this
really indicate to the VFR pilot?

At Reading, Pennsylvania (KRDG) there is such a symbol. This (Class D
Airspace) airport has its own Approach control (shared position in the
tower, actually). Unfortunately at no place on the Sectional is a
frequency for approach given, even on the tables next to the chart.

At Nantucket, Mass. (KACK) there is such a symbol. This (Class D
Airspace) airport does not have approach control. Radar services are
provided by Cape Approach during the day and Boston Center during the
night. (Active times are not given, but there are boxes on the map
itself that indicate what frequency to use for Cape Approach).

Stewart Intl, NY (KSWF) also has such a symbol. Radar services are
provided by New York TRACON.
(all of these airports are on the NY Sectional).

So what does this symbol really mean? At one airport where it is used,
the airport has a hidden-from-the-chart approach frequency. (The
frequency is of course available in the Airport/Facility Directory and
IIRC via ATIS among other places). At other airports, radar services
are provided by facilities that also provide service to many other
airports (without the R symbol.)

The only thing that I can think of is that it indicates there is a radar
(ASR) antenna on the field for a class D facility. Then again, Class D
airspace airport KMDT (Harrisburg Int'l) has such an antenna (atop the
hill nearby), but no such R in a circle icon on the sectional. It does
however had a surrounding TRSA with a TRACON, so perhaps that is why no
R in a circle is necessary.

On Sun, 25 Apr 2004 23:53:21 -0400, Jeff Saylor
wrote:

The R in a circle symbol next to an airport on Sectionals nindicates
that this airport has Airport Surveillance Radar. But what does this
really indicate to the VFR pilot?

At Reading, Pennsylvania (KRDG) there is such a symbol. This (Class D
Airspace) airport has its own Approach control (shared position in the
tower, actually). Unfortunately at no place on the Sectional is a
frequency for approach given, even on the tables next to the chart.

snipped...

I'm familiar with Reading and their little "R", which caused me a
little confusion when I was learning how to fly. To me, the "R" means
that they (in all likelihood) have their own approach control and you
need to track down the frequency. Like a TRSA, it is voluntary but
certainly adviseable to be talking to these folks. If I encounter an
"R" or a TRSA, I treat them the same as I would a Class C.

By the way, when I first noticed the "R" at Reading I had one hell of
a time finding someone to explain it to me. Ultimately had to figure
it out on my own.

Rich Russell

"Richard Russell" wrote in message
...

I'm familiar with Reading and their little "R", which caused me a
little confusion when I was learning how to fly. To me, the "R" means
that they (in all likelihood) have their own approach control and you
need to track down the frequency. Like a TRSA, it is voluntary but
certainly adviseable to be talking to these folks. If I encounter an
"R" or a TRSA, I treat them the same as I would a Class C.

By the way, when I first noticed the "R" at Reading I had one hell of
a time finding someone to explain it to me. Ultimately had to figure
it out on my own.


The R in a circle symbol indicates ASR is on the field, it's used
at airports when no other indication of the presence of radar exists, such
as Class B or C airspace or a TRSA. In the Airport Data block there should
also be an ATIS frequency or a "VFR Advsy" frequency, (more likely ATIS).
At fields with ATIS the recording should have the frequency for traffic
advisories, at fields without ATIS the VFR Advsy frequency will be in the
data block.

The R in a circle symbol indicates ASR is on the field, it's used
at airports when no other indication of the presence of radar exists, such
as Class B or C airspace or a TRSA.


Which raises another question. What is in a TRSA that isn't anywhere else? I
know a TRSA is sort of a stillborn class C, and (from the name) you can get
"radar services".

So, which ones?

Is it the case that you can get the same (radar) services in a TRSA that you
can get in class B or C airspace, or the airports with the circle R (that isn't
the one meaning "restricted/private airport"), and it's just that because of
traffic volume or the thought it would become a class C that the airspace was
carved into sectors?

And what services can you not get outside the sectors that you can get inside
them?

Jose

--
(for Email, make the obvious changes in my address)

"Teacherjh" wrote in message
...

Which raises another question. What is in a TRSA that isn't
anywhere else? I know a TRSA is sort of a stillborn class C,
and (from the name) you can get "radar services".

So, which ones?


VFR aircraft are separated from IFR and other VFR aircraft in a TRSA, but
participation is voluntary. VFR aircraft are separated only from IFR
aircraft in Class C airspace, but participation is mandatory. All aircraft
are sequenced to the primary airport in Class C airspace, not so in a TRSA.

"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote in message news:lIRjc.5945

VFR aircraft are separated from IFR and other VFR aircraft in a TRSA, but
participation is voluntary. VFR aircraft are separated only from IFR
aircraft in Class C airspace, but participation is mandatory. All aircraft
are sequenced to the primary airport in Class C airspace, not so in a TRSA.

One thing that VFR's should note, that while participation is voluntary in the TRSA,
many TRSA towers get a bit testy if you don't go in through the TRSA-approach
control.

"Jeff Saylor" wrote in message
...

The R in a circle symbol next to an airport on Sectionals nindicates
that this airport has Airport Surveillance Radar. But what does this
really indicate to the VFR pilot?

At Reading, Pennsylvania (KRDG) there is such a symbol. This
(Class D Airspace) airport has its own Approach control (shared
position in the tower, actually). Unfortunately at no place on the
Sectional is a frequency for approach given, even on the tables next
to the chart.

At Nantucket, Mass. (KACK) there is such a symbol. This (Class D
Airspace) airport does not have approach control. Radar services are
provided by Cape Approach during the day and Boston Center
during the night. (Active times are not given, but there are boxes on
the map itself that indicate what frequency to use for Cape Approach).

Stewart Intl, NY (KSWF) also has such a symbol. Radar services are
provided by New York TRACON.
(all of these airports are on the NY Sectional).

So what does this symbol really mean? At one airport where it is used,
the airport has a hidden-from-the-chart approach frequency. (The
frequency is of course available in the Airport/Facility Directory and
IIRC via ATIS among other places). At other airports, radar services
are provided by facilities that also provide service to many other
airports (without the R symbol.)

The only thing that I can think of is that it indicates there is a radar
(ASR) antenna on the field for a class D facility. Then again, Class D
airspace airport KMDT (Harrisburg Int'l) has such an antenna (atop the
hill nearby), but no such R in a circle icon on the sectional. It does
however had a surrounding TRSA with a TRACON, so perhaps that
is why no R in a circle is necessary.


The blue R in a circle symbol is used to indicate the presence of ASR where
there is no other indication. It would be superfluous at the core airports
in Class B and C airspace and TRSAs. It doesn't matter where the approach
control facility is located.

"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote:

"Jeff Saylor" wrote in message
...

The R in a circle symbol next to an airport on Sectionals nindicates
that this airport has Airport Surveillance Radar. But what does this
really indicate to the VFR pilot?

At Reading, Pennsylvania (KRDG) there is such a symbol. This
(Class D Airspace) airport has its own Approach control (shared
position in the tower, actually). Unfortunately at no place on the
Sectional is a frequency for approach given, even on the tables next
to the chart.

At Nantucket, Mass. (KACK) there is such a symbol. This (Class D
Airspace) airport does not have approach control. Radar services are
provided by Cape Approach during the day and Boston Center
during the night. (Active times are not given, but there are boxes on
the map itself that indicate what frequency to use for Cape Approach).

Stewart Intl, NY (KSWF) also has such a symbol. Radar services are
provided by New York TRACON.
(all of these airports are on the NY Sectional).

So what does this symbol really mean? At one airport where it is used,
the airport has a hidden-from-the-chart approach frequency. (The
frequency is of course available in the Airport/Facility Directory and
IIRC via ATIS among other places). At other airports, radar services
are provided by facilities that also provide service to many other
airports (without the R symbol.)

The only thing that I can think of is that it indicates there is a radar
(ASR) antenna on the field for a class D facility. Then again, Class D
airspace airport KMDT (Harrisburg Int'l) has such an antenna (atop the
hill nearby), but no such R in a circle icon on the sectional. It does
however had a surrounding TRSA with a TRACON, so perhaps that
is why no R in a circle is necessary.


The blue R in a circle symbol is used to indicate the presence of ASR where
there is no other indication. It would be superfluous at the core airports
in Class B and C airspace and TRSAs. It doesn't matter where the approach
control facility is located.

Ok, I get that, but what makes this information useful to the pilot? For
example, what is available to a pilot landing at Nantucket (Class D, Cape
Approach, R-in-circle) that is not available at Vineyard Haven (Martha's
Vineyard with Class D, Cape Appraoch, No R-in-circle)? Both airports have a
number of approaches, including ILS that controllers can vector pilots to.

Hi,

PMJI...

Recently, Jeff Saylor posted:
"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote:

The blue R in a circle symbol is used to indicate the presence of
ASR where there is no other indication. It would be superfluous at
the core airports in Class B and C airspace and TRSAs. It doesn't
matter where the approach control facility is located.

Ok, I get that, but what makes this information useful to the pilot?
For example, what is available to a pilot landing at Nantucket (Class
D, Cape Approach, R-in-circle) that is not available at Vineyard
Haven (Martha's Vineyard with Class D, Cape Appraoch, No
R-in-circle)? Both airports have a number of approaches, including
ILS that controllers can vector pilots to.

Steven gave a useful response by stating that "It doesn't matter here the
approach control facility is located." All the pilot needs to know is who
to talk to. This information is listed in a legend on the back of the
chart. ;-)

Neil

Neil Gould wrote:

Hi,

PMJI...

Recently, Jeff Saylor posted:
"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote:

The blue R in a circle symbol is used to indicate the presence of
ASR where there is no other indication. It would be superfluous at
the core airports in Class B and C airspace and TRSAs. It doesn't
matter where the approach control facility is located.

Ok, I get that, but what makes this information useful to the pilot?
For example, what is available to a pilot landing at Nantucket (Class
D, Cape Approach, R-in-circle) that is not available at Vineyard
Haven (Martha's Vineyard with Class D, Cape Appraoch, No
R-in-circle)? Both airports have a number of approaches, including
ILS that controllers can vector pilots to.

Steven gave a useful response by stating that "It doesn't matter here the
approach control facility is located."

That's true, but my question is, what maks this information useful to the
pilot? That is, how does the blue R/Circle symbol benefit the (VFR) pilot?
What is available at the airport with a blue R/Circle that is not available
at an (non TRSA or Class c&d) airport lacking the symbol?

All the pilot needs to know is who
to talk to. This information is listed in a legend on the back of the
chart. ;-)

As I mentioned earlier, that is not (necessarily) true. Take the example of
KRDG, which has the blue R/Circle symbol. Just try to find the approach
frequency for that airport anywhere on the sectional! (It isn't there, even
on the back of the chart, the side, etc..)