This document establishes and provides the standard operating procedures for the MSY ATCT.
This document is considered a supplement to any VATSIM, Executive Committee, VATNA, VATUSA, and vZHU policies, procedures, and controlled documentation.

Audience

All vZHU Controllers and Visitors

Distribution

This document is authorized for unrestricted public release.

Effective

This policy is effective immediately and cancels any previous revisions. This document cancels the New Orleans Terminal Radar Approach Control Standard Operating Procedures Rev 2 dated December 7, 2011.

Cancellation

This policy is effective until superseded by a newer revision or May 28, 2021.

Acronyms

2.1. New Orleans International Airport (KMSY)

2.2. ARTCC Air Route Traffic Control Center

2.3. ATCT Airport Traffic Control Tower

2.4. TRACON Terminal Radar Control Facility

2.5. SOP Standard Operating Procedures

2.6. VATNA North American region of VATSIM

2.7. VATUSA USA Division of VATNA

ATCT

Frequency and Position List

VATSIM CALLSIGN Radio Callsign Position Frequency

MSY_DEL New Orleans Delivery Delivery 120.925

MSY_GND New Orleans Ground Ground 121.900

MSY_TWR New Orleans Tower Tower 119.500

AIRSPACE

MSY ATCT AIRSPACE

MSY local has primary control over a cylinder centered over the airport reference point, 8 NM in radius (the center dotted circle), extending from the surface to 4,500 MSL.
MSY ATCT is a radar equipped facility. IFR and VFR Aircraft shall be radar identified and tracked while in the ATCT's controllers airspace.
1. EXCEPTION: VFR Aircraft remaining in the pattern.

Flows

RUNWAY OPERATIONS:

OPS DEP ARR HDG WND SPD

SOUTH 20 11/20 100-190 CALM

NORTH/WEST 29 2 280-360 >10 KTS

NORTH/EAST 2 2/11 010-090 >10 KTS

SOUTHWEST 29 20 200-270 >10 KTS

IFR Procedures

Clearance Delivery

Initial Jet IFR altitudes are 4,000’ MSL for any aircraft with a filed cruise at or above 4,000’ MSL. Expect final in 10 minutes. Aircraft with a lower filed cruise will be given their cruise immediately.
Initial Prop IFR altitudes are 2,000' MSL for any aircraft with a filed cruise at or above 2,000’ MSL. Expect final in 10 minutes. Aircraft with a lower filed cruise will be given their cruise immediately.
New Orleans ATCT must formulate and issue departure clearances using generated flight plan information.

Releases

Releases are automatic if assigned headings are in accordance with the "DEPARTURE HEADINGS" drop down menu unless otherwise dictated by MSY TRACON / Center as appropriate.
Rolling calls are required unless otherwise coordinated with MSY TRACON / Center as appropriate.

DEPARTURE HEADINGS

DEPARTURE RUNWAY HEADING

All Rwy's RH

Missed Approaches

If there is an MSY TRACON controller online, standard missed instructions are runway heading with a climb to 3,000’ MSL.
MSY TRACON may dictate alternate missed approach procedures.
If there is no MSY TRACON controller online, standard missed instructions are to fly the published missed.

Practice Approaches

MSY TRACON is responsible for issuing climb out instructions to aircraft executing an intentional missed approach at KMSY. MSY TRACON must advise tower when non-standard climb out instructions are issued.

KMSY Practice Approach

Runway Instructions

ALL RWYS RH CM 3K

VFR Procedures

VFR aircraft shall not be unnecessarily restricted.
VFR aircraft requesting to "remain in the pattern" do not require a unique squawk code. ref. 7110.65 7-2-1.
Departing VFR aircraft may be issued an “AT OR BELOW 3,000” altitude restriction on departure if traffic conditions warrant.
VFR Aircraft should be allowed to transition the midfield corridor unless operational conditions prohibit.
1. VFR Aircraft at or below 4,500' MSL shall be tracked by MSY ATCT for the transition. (VFR FLYWAY)