I’ve just discovered that I’m going to need to fly through a TRSA
(Specifically, the Kalamazoo [AZO] TRSA). Never having gone through
one before, I tried to read up on them. Best I can figure out is that
they are like a class-D with RADAR surrounded by an optional Class-C.
So my choices going through one VFR are to just fly on through (as long
as I stay out of the small Class-D) or to talk to them and get the same
services I would in transitioning a Class-C. Problem is – going to or
through a Class-C I’ve always contacted approach on the published
frequency (printed in the magenta box on the sectional) for initial
contact. No box – no clue. Anyone know how I choose an initial
contact frequency? Any other info you think pertinent will also be
appreciated.
Michael Masterov, PP-ASEL, AGI
In article <3pvie3$…@mozo.cc.purdue.edu> maste…@atom.ecn.purdue.edu (Michael Masterov) writes:
>I’ve just discovered that I’m going to need to fly through a TRSA
>(Specifically, the Kalamazoo [AZO] TRSA). Never having gone through
>one before, I tried to read up on them. Best I can figure out is that
>they are like a class-D with RADAR surrounded by an optional Class-C.
Hi there. I’ve worked a TRSA for about 6 years now. Your analogy is a good
one. I’ll flesh it out a little for you:
1. A TRSA is not a class of airspace. It is a service area which occupies
whatever class of airspace happens to be around. This usually includes a
normal-sized class-D at the center (as you mentioned), surrounded by class-E
airspace.
2. You participation is entirely voluntary. The rules for radio
communications are governed by the airspace class you are in. Therefore, you
will definitely need to talk to someone while in the class-D, but not
necessarily in the class-E, and so forth.
3. One unique feature of the TRSA is its separation requirements.
Participating VFR aircraft are separated from other IFR and participating VFR
aircraft. It is in this respect unlike class-C. You may be separated from
other VFR aircraft by up to 3 miles under normal circumstances, and all of the
wake turbulence separation standards must also be provided by controllers.
>going to or through a Class-C I’ve always contacted approach on the
>published frequency (printed in the magenta box on the sectional) for initial
>contact. No box – no clue. Anyone know how I choose an initial contact
>frequency? Any other info you think pertinent will also be appreciated.
Check the frequency tab chart near the legend. There should be a list of
approach controls depicted on the sectional with the frequencies that they
use.
————————————-
SR – ILM
[....]discussion about TRSA removed for brevity…
I live/fly in Upstate NY, and we have two nearby TRSA’s, Griffis/Utica
and Binghamton. We also have Class C. around…
Even though SYR (class C) has some of the best controllers anywhere (they put
up with me, so they must be good), for some reason I prefer to be in a TRSA
than Class C…I think it is something about "volunteering" to do something
rather than being forced to do it.
I find the TRSA’s to be useful, friendly, professional. I actually do
my flight plans to use the TRSAs as much as possible. It never hurts
to have a primary radar scan looking for no-xponder aircraft.
Matthew Drahzal
PP-ASEL
Chittenango, NY
p.s. When flying in the SYR area, I like NY10 (Michael Airfield)
They have a newly-paved runway, and have just added 100LL fuel service
for about $2.00/gallon. Airport is under the shelf of SYR class C
to the north/west of KSYR.
Michael Masterov (maste…@atom.ecn.purdue.edu) wrote:
: I’ve just discovered that I’m going to need to fly through a TRSA
: (Specifically, the Kalamazoo [AZO] TRSA). Never having gone through
: one before, I tried to read up on them. Best I can figure out is that
: they are like a class-D with RADAR surrounded by an optional Class-C.
Correct a TRSA isn’t class anything. It is just an area where you can get
radar service (like a class C) but you don’t have to. There is probably a
Class D inside it somewhere, but that is separate from the TRSA. If you’re
going to land there it’s almost always a good idea to talk to the approach
control.
: So my choices going through one VFR are to just fly on through (as long
: as I stay out of the small Class-D) or to talk to them and get the same
: services I would in transitioning a Class-C. Problem is – going to or
: through a Class-C I’ve always contacted approach on the published
: frequency (printed in the magenta box on the sectional) for initial
: contact. No box – no clue. Anyone know how I choose an initial
: contact frequency? Any other info you think pertinent will also be
: appreciated.
I’d talk to them. I’ve actually flown out of Kalamazoo and everybody there
seemed real helpful. You can get the frequencies by looking up the
primary airport (I think it’s got a name like Kalamazoo-Battle Creek)
in the AFD. If you have the little brown Airport Guides, they are real
handy because they have little sector pictures with the frequencies (so
you don’t have to think about if 230-030 covers coming from the north
or not). I also fly through the Harrisburg (PA) TRSA, it’s never been
a problem to talk to them, and since there are airliners climbing out
of the airport there, it’s handy to be talking to them.
-Ron
You have to look at the side panel in your sectional.
That’s where you get frequencies/sectors for the TRSA, as well as class
B w/o your TCA chart.
Michael Masterov (maste…@atom.ecn.purdue.edu) wrote:
: I’ve just discovered that I’m going to need to fly through a TRSA
: (Specifically, the Kalamazoo [AZO] TRSA). Never having gone through
: one before, I tried to read up on them. Best I can figure out is that
: they are like a class-D with RADAR surrounded by an optional Class-C.
: So my choices going through one VFR are to just fly on through (as long
: as I stay out of the small Class-D) or to talk to them and get the same
: services I would in transitioning a Class-C. Problem is – going to or
: through a Class-C I’ve always contacted approach on the published
: frequency (printed in the magenta box on the sectional) for initial
: contact. No box – no clue. Anyone know how I choose an initial
: contact frequency? Any other info you think pertinent will also be
: appreciated.
–
#include <std.disclamer>
Leonard Primak
CS First Boston
JFow…@stimpy.pdial.interpath.net (John S. Fowler) wrote:
> Check the frequency tab chart near the legend. There should be a list of
> approach controls depicted on the sectional with the frequencies that they
> use.
Is this *always* true? In the north-west sector of the NY Class B, all
the charts I’ve seen say 126.7 is the approach frequency, yet they often
seem to be on 125.5. I’ve never seen 125.5 listed anywhere. Unless I’ve
just overlooked something, it’s not on the terminal, sectional, en-route,
or approach charts. It seems to be one of those bits of "local
knowledge", however, that if you can’t raise anybody on 126.7, you just
try 125.5 and more than likely they’ll answer there.
–
Roy Smith <r…@nyu.edu>
Hippocrates Project, Department of Microbiology, Coles 202
NYU School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016
"This never happened to Bart Simpson."
maste…@atom.ecn.purdue.edu (Michael Masterov) wrote:
>I’ve just discovered that I’m going to need to fly through a TRSA
<snip>
>Anyone know how I choose an initial contact frequency? Any other
>info you think pertinent will also be appreciated.
All the TRSA’s I’ve seen have a note "SEE TWR FREQ TAB" under
which the app/dep freq’s are listed. This is at the top of the
chart under "CLASS B, CLASS C, TRSA, AND SELECTED RADAR APPRACH
CONTROL FREQUENCIES".
=========================================================
George Norris PP-ASEL Archer II N8765C
email: nor…@primenet.com
In article <3pvie3$…@mozo.cc.purdue.edu> maste…@atom.ecn.purdue.edu (Michael Masterov) writes:
>I’ve just discovered that I’m going to need to fly through a TRSA
>(Specifically, the Kalamazoo [AZO] TRSA). Never having gone through
>one before, I tried to read up on them.
<snip>
> Problem is – going to or
>through a Class-C I’ve always contacted approach on the published
>frequency (printed in the magenta box on the sectional) for initial
>contact. No box – no clue. Anyone know how I choose an initial
>contact frequency?
Look in the frequency tabulation located on the sectional chart. Unfold the
whole thing if you are having a problem finding it. It will list the tower
frequencies in one table and the radar approach control frequencies in
another. Also, look up the airport (AZO) in the Airport/Facilities Directory
(A/FD) it should list the approach control frequency also.
———————————————————————–
Jim Hanrahan, PE, CP-IA Naval Surface Warfare Center
hanra…@oasys.dt.navy.mil Code 822, Annapolis, Maryland, USA