Rotorcraft Terminal ATC Route Standards

Abstract : This report focuses on major terminal areas and addresses both visual and instrument meteorological conditions under visual flight rules (VFR), special visual flight rules (SVFR), and instrument flight rules (IFR). It is intended to assess their effect on the National Airspace System (NAS), the users, and air traffic control. This report is designed to incorporate the review, analysis, and development of rotorcraft ATC route structures and the analysis of current procedures and standards, with the objective of recommending modifications to existing FAA documents, standards, and procedures which will enhance rotorcraft operations and National Airspace System capacity in a terminal environment. Additional reports will address en route IFR routing and procedures, and provide guidelines for the development and implementation of integrated rotorcraft route structures and procedures. This is one of a series of three reports that address rotorcraft/helicopter standards, route structures, and procedures applied by FAA air traffic facilities. The series consists of: (1) Rotorcraft Terminal ATC Route Standards, DOT/FAA/RD-90/18, (2) Rotorcraft En Route ATC Route Standards, DOT/FAA/RD-90/19, and (3) Rotorcraft ATC Route Standards - Implementation Guidelines, DOT/FAA/RD-90/20.