Juneau Commercial Operators Letter of Agreement Airspace Users – Juneau, Alaska and Vicinity Revision Number 10 Effective Date: January 01, 2003 Juneau Airspace Letter of Agreement Revision: Ten Effective: January 1, 2003 LETTER OF AGREEMENT Airspace Users - Juneau, Alaska and Vicinity This letter of agreement is entered into for the purpose of establishing safe operating practices in the Juneau Airport Class D surface area and the uncontrolled airspace in the geographic areas surrounding Juneau, Alaska to include, (1) the Juneau Ice Field and its glacier drainage’s, (2) Gastineau Channel and Taku Inlet to include the Taku Glacier ice field, and (3) Lynn Canal, Glacier Bay and Cross Sound/Icy Strait as described in Appendices A, B, C, and D to this agreement. The intent is to ensure horizontal and vertical separation of aircraft, and to ensure aircraft on common routes are on the same radio frequencies. These routes and procedures are designed to include commercial aircraft operations (air-carriers and tour operators), both fixed and rotary wing, special use operations (para-gliders, powered and non-powered parachutes), general aviation, and military users. The methods employed include preferred routes, primary and secondary reporting points, specific radio frequencies, frequency changeover points, and specific altitudes for specified direction of flight at traffic conflict areas. The procedures in this agreement are based on effective procedures developed over years of use by local commercial operators. The topography and prevailing weather surrounding Juneau, Alaska channels aircraft into common routes, creating potential conflicts between aircraft regardless of the type of operation being conducted. The largest concentration of aircraft is comprised of VFR Commuter traffic and air tours. However, all aircraft are geographically restricted to the use of the same routes. Signature of an aircraft operator to the routes and procedures contained in this Juneau Operators Letter of Agreement (LOA) indicates voluntary compliance, in that while operating on the described routes, these procedures should be adhered to. This does not restrict an aircraft operator from utilizing non-depicted routes. Deviations from this letter of agreement may be made after verbal coordination with other affected parties. This agreement does not relieve aircraft operators and pilots from adhering to Federal Aviation Regulations, or Operations Specifications issued to that company by FAA Flight Standards. It remains a right and responsibility for a pilot to deviate from any procedure if required to ensure the safety of their aircraft, or when weather or traffic conflicts require. Modifications to a specific area procedure will be made via date and numbered revisions to the specific appendix or page, including a signature agreement line for each party to this agreement. This agreement is valid until the end of each calendar year. 2 Juneau Airspace Letter of Agreement Revision: Ten Effective: January 1, 2003 GENERAL PROCEDURES APPLYING TO ALL FOUR GEOGRAPHIC AREAS: I. Altitudes: 1. VFR Hemispherical Cruising Altitudes apply above 3,000 feet above ground level (AGL). 2. Enter drainage’s (upstream direction), fly at thousand foot levels-- 1000, 2000,3000 feet above mean sea level (MSL). *Except Taku Inlet. See Section C. 3. Exit drainage’s (downstream direction), fly at 500-foot levels (500, 1500, 2500 feet MSL). *Except Taku Inlet. See Section C. 4. Minimum altitude in uncontrolled airspace is 500 feet AGL vertically from any terrain, except during takeoff and landing, unless a higher altitude is advisable to ensure power off glide to an emergency-landing site. 5. Helicopters crossing a ridgeline may cross at 300 feet AGL. NOTE: This does not restrict non-tour aircraft from operating below 500 feet when conducting specialized operations in accordance with other Federal Aviation Regulations. II. Reporting Points 1. Primary and secondary reporting points are listed in each geographic area appendix. The charts enclosed depict these reporting points. Those depicted as “Primary” are the minimum points that should be used. “Secondary” points were chosen to enhance reporting. 2. Pilots should report approaching these points, and when approaching passes. Position reports should be given when approaching a frequency changeover line on both the frequency leaving and the frequency changing to. This will minimize traffic conflicts and allow opposing traffic two opportunities to receive your position. III. Rules of the Road 1. Except where noted in a Specific Area Procedure and Alaska Air Lines GPS/RNP procedural track or when confronted with weather, traffic or other conflicts, normal traffic will fly on the right side of rivers, valleys, mountain passes, shorelines, or waterways. 2. If weather requires deviation from standard or Specific Area Traffic Patterns, radio position calls should include this information. Note: Alaska Airlines RNP RNAV Rwy 26 approach tracks center on the Gastineau channel. Refer to Appendix A for Alaska Airlines approach profile information. 3 Juneau Airspace Letter of Agreement Revision: Ten Effective: January 1, 2003 GENERAL PROCEDURES APPLYING TO ALL FOUR GEOGRAPHIC AREAS: (Continued) IV. Radio Etiquette Note: Due to the high volume of radio traffic, Pilots will adhere to the following guidelines: 1. During take-off and landing, when in Gastineau Channel or until established in straight and level flight, radio transmissions should be limited to traffic advisories only. All communication with passengers during these phases of flight should be halted to ensure clear communication between aircraft. 2. Communications should be brief. Who, Where, Altitude, Intentions, ATIS. 3. There should be no unnecessary conversations over any of the CTAF frequencies. Any such communications should be conducted on another frequency so long as the appropriate CTAF can be adequately monitored. If an aircraft has only one communication radio, then non-critical conversation should take place on the ground. 4. If persistent radio chatter occurs, pilots should bring it to the attention of there Company management. V. Company Management Responsibilities 1. Company management personnel, i.e. Base Managers, Chief Pilots or Lead Pilots, should make every effort to ensure that the standards set forth in this Letter of Agreement are strictly adhered to ensure safety. This goal will be accomplished by thoroughly training all pilots on the routes, altitudes, procedures, frequencies and conduct explained in the Letter of Agreement. 2. In addition to training, the above management personnel will establish a system by which to gather, exchange and disseminate information to and from pilots. Each company will have designated contacts with whom to communicate any deviations from the Letter of Agreement that are witnessed to occur so that corrective action can be taken as soon as possible. It is encouraged that we all participate, both management and pilot staff, to ensure a safe standard of adherence to these guidelines. 3. A list of contacts for each company can be found in Appendix E. 4 Juneau Airspace Letter of Agreement Revision: Ten Effective: January 1, 2003 SPECIFIC AREA PROCEDURES: SECTION A. JUNEAU AIRPORT CLASS-D AIRSPACE Note: VFR arrival and departure procedures and route charts are in “Appendix-A” I. Aircraft inbound to the airport shall establish communications with the Juneau Air Traffic control Tower (Juneau ATCT) prior (5 to 8 miles out) to entering the Class-D airspace. II. Aircraft inbound from Gastineau Channel change to the Juneau ATCT frequency at the Juneau-Douglas Bridge ( JD Bridge). III. Aircraft departing the airport eastbound --switch to 123.05 overflying ERA Helicopters. IV. Parachute Jumping occasionally is conducted within a 2 nautical mile radius of the Faith Lutheran Church and Brotherhood Bridge, west of the Super Bear Market / Mendenhall Mall, up to an altitude of 12,500 feet MSL. This radius narrows to 1/2 mile at the surface. When jump activity is planned, the Juneau ATCT will have been notified in advance prior to takeoff by the jump organizer, and a NOTAM shall be filed with Juneau Automated Flight Service Station ( Juneau AFSS). The Juneau ATCT may amend arrival and departure clearances as required to avoid this area. The jump aircraft shall utilize the call sign “Jumper- (N#)” from takeoff to landing and shall provide the Juneau ATCT with a 5 minute warning, a 2 minute warning, and a “jumpers away” call. At the 2 minute warning, if the Juneau ATCT does not cancel the jump clearance, then jumpers are outside the aircraft and committed. Any time up until the 2 minute warning, Juneau ATCT may cancel jump clearance. All parachuting activity will be conducted in accordance with the most current Letter of Agreement between the Juneau ATCT and Skydive Juneau. V. Paragliding occurs in the area of Thunder Mountain, between the airport and the Mendenhall Glacier, and near Heintzelman Ridge. Paragliding operations occur from May to September on dry days with ceilings above 3,000 feet. Paragliders tend to remain near the terrain in this area, but may be further out toward the center of Mendenhall Valley. The primary paragliding landing zones are the Floyd Dryden school, and Switzer Creek or Costco areas. Flights are normally below 4,500 feet MSL, but may reach altitudes as high as 9,000 feet MSL above Thunder Mountain. Prior to Paragliding activity a NOTAM shall be filed with Juneau AFSS, and any entry into the Airport Class-D airspace shall be prearranged with the Juneau ATCT. All paragliding activity shall be conducted in accordance with the most current Letter Of Agreement between the Juneau ATCT, Juneau AFSS, and the Juneau Eagles Paragliding Club. 5 Juneau Airspace Letter of Agreement Revision: Ten Effective: January 1, 2003 SPECIFIC AREA PROCEDURES: SECTION A. JUNEAU AIRPORT CLASS-D AIRSPACE (Continued) Note: VFR arrival and departure procedures And route charts are in “Appendix-A” VI. Recommended Traffic Pattern Altitudes within the Juneau Class-D airspace are: Helicopters: 500 feet MSL Fixed Wing: 1,000 feet MSL Large Turbine: 1,500 feet MSL or ABOVE (Unless otherwise assigned by ATCT or revised in the Alaska Supplement.) VII.