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Class D Tower

Airspace

Remember that in Class D Airspace, IFR aircraft are separated from IFR and SVFR, and SVFR is separated from SVFR when visibility is not VMC. No separation is provided for VFR aircraft, even though it is controlled airspace. The Tower Controller provides more of a "Segregation" service (ie, providing reasonable opportunity for the aircraft to separate themselves), as well as providing traffic information.

Class D Tower Airspace Diagram

Class D Tower Airspace Diagram

Surveillance

Although Surveillance standards cannot be used for separation at Class D Towers, overlying TCU/Enroute controllers can use their surveillance standards to help Class D towers achieve separation, when procedural separation is a bit awkward or impractical.

Example

AY ADC -> BLA: "Can you advise when QLK208D is 5nm clear of DSB?"
BLA -> AY ADC: "Affirm, will do"
...
BLA -> AY ADC: "QLK208D, 5nm clear of DSB"
AY ADC -> BLA: "QLK208D, 5nm clear of DSB, thanks"

Lateral

45° Segregated Flight Paths

Straight-in

  • Can be applied between departures and arrivals when the departing aircraft's flight path and the arrival aircraft's flight path are at least 45° clear of each other, and, for a straight-in approach, the arriving aircraft is at least 5nm from the arrival runway threshold

Segregated Flight Paths - Straight-in

Segregated Flight Paths - Straight-in

Visual, DME/GNSS, Circle to land

  • Can be applied between departures and arrivals when the departing aircraft's flight path and the arrival aircraft's flight path are at least 45° clear of each other, and, for a Visual, DME/GNSS or Circle to land approach, the arriving aircraft is at least 10nm from the airfield

Segregated Flight Paths - Visual, DME/GNSS, Circle to land

Segregated Flight Paths - Visual, DME/GNSS, Circle to land

Vertical

1000ft

  • Between any aircraft

See Also