7−6−1. APPLICATION
a. Basic radar services for VFR aircraft must include:
1. Safety alerts.
2. Traffic advisories.
3. Limited radar vectoring when requested by the pilot.
4. Sequencing at locations where procedures have been established for this purpose and/or when covered by a LOA.
7−6−6. APPROACH SEQUENCE
Do not assign landing sequence numbers, when establishing aircraft in the approach sequence, unless this responsibility has been delegated in a LOA or facility directive.
NOTE− The landing sequence is ordinarily established by the tower.
7−6−7. SEQUENCING
a. Establish radar contact before instructing a VFR aircraft to enter the traffic pattern at a specified point or vectoring the aircraft to a position in the approach sequence. Inform the pilot of the aircraft to follow when the integrity of the approach sequence is dependent on following a preceding aircraft. Ensure visual contact is established with the aircraft to follow and provide instruction to follow that aircraft.
PHRASEOLOGY− FOLLOW (description) (position, if necessary).
7−7−1. APPLICATION
Apply TRSA procedures in addition to the basic services described [above].
7−7−6. APPROACH INTERVAL
The tower must specify the approach interval.
7−7−7. TRSA DEPARTURE INFORMATION
NOTE− Departing aircraft are assumed to want TRSA service unless the pilot states, “negative TRSA service,” or makes a similar comment.
b. Provide separation until the aircraft leaves the TRSA.
c. Inform VFR participating aircraft when leaving the TRSA.
PHRASEOLOGY−
LEAVING THE (name) TRSA,
and as appropriate,
RESUME OWN NAVIGATION, REMAIN THIS FREQUENCY FOR TRAFFIC ADVISORIES, RADAR SERVICE TERMINATED, SQUAWK ONE TWO ZERO ZERO.
7−8−2. CLASS C SERVICES
a. Class C services include the following:
1. Sequencing of all aircraft to the primary airport.
2. Standard IFR services to IFR aircraft.
3. Separation, traffic advisories, and safety alerts between IFR and VFR aircraft.
4. Mandatory traffic advisories and safety alerts between VFR aircraft.
b. Provide Class C services to all aircraft operating within Class C airspace.
c. Provide Class C services to all participating aircraft in the outer area.
7−8−4. ESTABLISHING TWO-WAY COMMUNICATIONS
Class C service requires pilots to establish two-way radio communications before entering Class C airspace. If the controller responds to a radio call with, “(a/c call sign) standby,” radio communications have been established and the pilot can enter Class C airspace. If workload or traffic conditions prevent immediate provision of Class C services, inform the pilot to remain outside Class C airspace until conditions permit the services to be provided.
PHRASEOLOGY− (A/c call sign) REMAIN OUTSIDE CHARLIE AIRSPACE AND STANDBY.
4−8−11. PRACTICE APPROACHES
Except for military aircraft operating at military airfields, ensure that neither VFR nor IFR practice approaches disrupt the flow of other arriving and departing IFR or VFR aircraft. Authorize, withdraw authorization, or refuse to authorize practice approaches as traffic conditions require.
a. Separation.
1. IFR aircraft practicing instrument approaches must be afforded approved separation until:
(a) The aircraft lands, and the flight is terminated, or
(b) The pilot cancels the flight plan.
2. Where procedures require application of IFR separation to VFR aircraft practicing instrument approaches, IFR separation must be provided. Controller responsibility for separation begins at the point where the approach clearance becomes effective. Except for super or heavy aircraft, 500 feet vertical separation may be applied between VFR aircraft and between a VFR and an IFR aircraft.
3. Where separation services are not provided to VFR aircraft practicing instrument approaches, the controller must;
(a) Instruct the pilot to maintain VFR.
(b) Advise the pilot that separation services are not provided.
PHRASEOLOGY− “(Aircraft identification) MAINTAIN VFR, PRACTICE APPROACH APPROVED, NO SEPARATION SERVICES PROVIDED.”
4. If an altitude is assigned, including at or above/below altitudes, the altitude specified must meet MVA, minimum safe altitude, or minimum IFR altitude criteria.
5. All VFR aircraft must be instructed to maintain VFR on initial contact or as soon as possible thereafter.
b. Missed Approaches.
1. Unless alternate instructions have been issued, IFR aircraft are automatically authorized to execute the missed approach depicted for the instrument approach being flown.
2. VFR aircraft are not automatically authorized to execute the missed approach procedure. This authorization must be specifically requested by the pilot and approved by the controller. When a missed approach has been approved and the practice approach is conducted in accordance with paragraph 4−8−11 a2, separation must be provided throughout the procedure including the missed approach. If the practice approach is conducted in accordance with paragraph 4−8−11 a3, separation services are not required during the missed approach.
Practically Speaking:
a. IFR: Treat IFR aircraft conducting practice approaches as normal.
b. VFR That Will Operate in/near B/C/TRSA: Separation services are required. If the aircraft is requesting vectors for the approach, say "Maintain VFR," then issue headings/altitudes as appropriate to vector for the approach. In the approach clearance, state that it is a practice approach. "Cleared practice ILS runway 17R approach."
c. VFR That Will Operate Outside B/C/TRSA: Use phraseology prescribed in 4-8-11 a3. If the aircraft wants vectors for the approach, utilize the phraseology perscribed above in part b.
Sometimes, it is beneficial for IFR aircraft to request to maintain VFR conditions in order to avoid lengthy delays/release times/required separation minima.
7−1−2. VFR CONDITIONS
a. You may clear aircraft to maintain “VFR conditions” if one of the following conditions exists:
1. The pilot of an aircraft on an IFR flight plan requests a VFR climb/descent.
PHRASEOLOGY−
MAINTAIN VFR CONDITIONS.
MAINTAIN VFR CONDITIONS UNTIL (time or fix).
MAINTAIN VFR CONDITIONS ABOVE/BELOW (altitude).
CLIMB/DESCEND VFR,
and if required,
BETWEEN (altitude) AND (altitude) or ABOVE/BELOW (altitude).
7−3−1. VFR-ON-TOP
a. You may clear an aircraft to maintain “VFR-on-top” if the pilot of an aircraft on an IFR flight plan requests the clearance.
PHRASEOLOGY− MAINTAIN VFR-ON-TOP
NOTE− 1. When an aircraft has been cleared to maintain “VFR-on-top,” the pilot is responsible to fly at an appropriate VFR altitude, comply with VFR visibility and distance from cloud criteria, and to be vigilant so as to see and avoid other aircraft. The pilot is also responsible to comply with instrument flight rules applicable to the flight (e.g., adherence to ATC clearances).
2. Although IFR separation is not applied, controllers must continue to provide traffic advisories and safety alerts, and apply merging target procedures to aircraft operating VFR-on-top.
b. You may clear an aircraft to climb through clouds, smoke, haze, or other meteorological formations and then to maintain “VFR-on-top” if the following conditions are met:
1. The pilot requests the clearance.
2. You inform the pilot of the reported height of the tops of the meteorological formation, or
3. You inform the pilot that no top report is available.
4. When necessary, you ensure separation from all other traffic for which you have separation responsibility by issuing an alternative clearance.
5. When an aircraft is climbing to and reports reaching “VFR-on-top,” reclear the aircraft to maintain “VFR-on-top.”
PHRASEOLOGY−
CLIMB TO AND REPORT REACHING VFR-ON-TOP,
and
TOPS REPORTED (altitude),
or
NO TOPS REPORTS.
IF NOT ON TOP AT (altitude), MAINTAIN (altitude), AND ADVISE.
Practically Speaking: Include the climb instructions listed above in the altitude section of the IFR clearance. Use the "IF NOT ON TOP AT (altitude), MAINTAIN (altitude)" as the initial altitude for the airport to ensure separation. Further climb the aircraft if necessary.
EXAMPLE - "N123AB cleared to Ardmore airport via radar vectors Big Spring then as filed. Climb to and report reaching VFR on top. No tops reported. If not on top at 7,000 maintain 7,000 and advise. Departure Frequency 119.3, squawk 2202"