Effective 28 May 2020
Revision 3
Changes
Rev.3
Comprehensive rewrite replacing existing San Antonio ATCT/TRACON Standard Operating Procedures.
Eliminated duplication of VATUSA and VATSIM policies.
General
Purpose
This document establishes and provides the standard operating procedures for the SAT 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 San Antonio Terminal Radar Approach Control Standard Operating Procedures dated January, 6 2010.
Cancellation
This policy is effective until superseded by a newer revision or May 28, 2021.
Acronyms
2.1. San Antonio International Airport (KSAT)
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
SAT_DEL San Antonio Delivery Delivery 126.700
SAT_GND San Antonio Ground Ground 121.900
SAT_TWR San Antonio Tower Tower 119.800
AIRSPACE
SAT ATCT AIRSPACE
SAT local has primary control over a cylinder centered over the airport reference point, 5 NM in radius, extending from the surface to 3,000 MSL.
SAT TRACON may use 1,500 MSL - 3,000 MSL at their discretion, under TRACON control, contingent upon a point out to the tower. TRACON is responsible for separation of aircraft under their control using this airspace.
Flows
RUNWAY OPERATIONS:
OPS DEP ARR HDG WND SPD
NORMAL* 4/13R 13L/13R 130-220 CALM
NORTH 4/31L 31L/31R 260-010 >15 KTS
EAST 13R 13L/13R 090-170 >15 KTS
WEST 31L 31L/31R 200-010 >15 KTS
*Standard Flow
Controllers shall honor runway requests contrary to flow. Requests for opposite direction operations shall be sequenced on a best-effort basis as not to delay other operations in compliance with current flow.
IFR Procedures
Clearance Delivery
Initial IFR altitudes are 5,000’ MSL for any aircraft with a filed cruise at or above 5,000’ MSL. Expect final in 10 minutes. Aircraft with a lower filed cruise will be given their cruise immediately.
San Antonio ATCT must formulate and issue departure clearances using generated flight plan information.
San Antonio ATCT must ensure all aircraft are cleared via the appropriate departure gate as depicted in RADAR ARRIVALS/DEPARTURES, except where otherwise noted.
Releases
Releases are automatic if assigned headings are in accordance with the "DEPARTURE HEADINGS" drop down menu unless otherwise dictated by SAT TRACON / Center as appropriate.
Rolling calls are required unless otherwise coordinated with SAT TRACON / Center as appropriate.
STANDARD INSTRUMENT DEPARTURES
PROCEDURES VECTORS TO DIR
ALAMO#
JUMBO/CVE/BWD HENLY N/NW
AGJ GOBBY N/NE
BOWIE#
COT/LRD MILET SW
THX/CRP YENNS SE
ALISS# TREVA W/NW
LEJON# TATAR NW
MILET# RAYBN S/SW
THX# YENNS S/SE
DEPARTURE HEADINGS
DEPARTURE RUNWAY HEADING
ALL RH
Missed Approaches
If there is an SAT TRACON controller online, standard missed instructions are runway heading offset 30 degrees divergent from the parallel runway, with a climb to 4,000’ MSL.
SAT TRACON may dictate alternate missed approach procedures.
If there is no SAT TRACON controller online, standard missed instructions are to fly the published missed.
Practice Approaches
SAT TRACON is responsible for issuing climb out instructions to aircraft executing an intentional missed approach at KSAT. SAT TRACON must advise tower when non-standard climb out instructions are issued.
KSAT Practice Approach
Runway Instructions
4 TR 130, CM 4K
13R TR 220, CM 4k
13L TL 040, CM 4k
22 TL 130, CM 4k
VFR Procedures
VFR aircraft shall not be unnecessarily restricted.
VFR aircraft should be issued discrete transponder codes while operating in/through the SAT class Charlie airspace.
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.