San Antonio Area ATC Update Notes – Sept. 3, 2003

San Antonio Airport

Taxiway Delta construction - is finally completed. In fact, there are no major construction projects in progress (for once, but enjoy the freedom while you can). Be sure to check your local NOTAMs and the ATIS to be sure.

Revised Approach Let Down Procedure for Runway 3 ILS – is in the works. A replacement for the final approach fix will be forthcoming to replace the current FAF, which is over Kelly at 3,500 ft. MSL to a point approximately four miles from the runway at 2,500 ft. MSL. Plans are to utilize a crossing radial from the SSF VOR and/or an ILS 3 DME point on the localizer. (It is hard to tell at this point what the City and TXDOT are going to do with double decking of I-410 and the Airport/281 multiple level interchanges that are to be constructed. Most likely choices, displacing the approach end of Runway 3 and raising the landing minimums due to the potential constructions of high-rise ramps and lighting structures in the approach paths to the runway. Again, check your NFDC NOTAMS for the latest changes in approach procedures at any airports you intend upon utilizing.

Approach Control Airspace changes – have been completed under the SE portion of the RND MOA 1B towards Stockdale and some area southwest of that. Pilots should only notice that the controlling facility would be SAT Approach Control instead of the Houston ARTCC. One area to be cautious of when flying VFR is that area north of THX VORTAC where a military IFR training route begins and military aircraft will be descending from 4,000 MSL and below entering the route. Due to the low altitudes and size of the aircraft traffic may not always be available from approach control and difficult to see for VFR traffic traversing the area. Check your charts for IR148. Randolph AFB utilizes the training route, however, other organizations including the Navy coordinate usage as well.

Houston Airspace Taskforce - is up and running again putting together the proposed complete overhaul of the airspace surrounding the Houston Terminal Area and linking up with other changes to airspace adjoining the Houston Area, particularly in the area containing the RND East and Kingsville MOAs. Since radar can be remote to cover areas not presently available, such actions such as: creating tower enroute between SAT and the Houston area, SAT approach control taking control of the West MOAs, adjoining airspace with Del Rio (DLF) in order to provide tower enroute as well are being considered. There are several other areas being considered as well to improve service in the major HUB areas (SAT, AUS, CRP, DFW and IAH/HOU) and relieving some of the traffic from the Houston Center’s workload. This project is all part of the FAA’s proposed Flight Plan to the Future. (All I can think of is: what about data link, GPS, WAAS and more satellite based navigation/communications and better automated capabilities to handle traffic, both enroute and in the terminals?) Next meeting between the military and FAA ATC types is scheduled for October. More later as this all unfolds, because it will impact all users.

Stinson Airport – and SAT Approach Control is completing their test of the new assigned departure headings from Stinson. Since very few, if any, comments were made about the changes, the procedure will go permanently into effect after the test period is completed in mid Sept.

One caution to pilots operating in the area is that radar traffic advisories are recommended due to the mix and amount of traffic east through the northwest of SSF. Many pilot are foregoing any ATC departure delays by advising the tower they do not want flight following and radar traffic advisories from approach control and may encounter some hazardous traffic situations.

Randolph AFB - will be conducting several days of practice with seven and fifteen ship formation flying in the area southeast of RND to the vicinity of Stockdale, normally on Fridays and at the 2,500 to 3,500 ft MSL altitudes. This also includes the Texan T-2’s, T-37s and a combination of all the different types of aircraft utilized at RND AFB by AETC. (That is a lot of aluminum at one time in a small area.)

Kelly AFB – Have developed some changes in their local traffic patterns and entry procedures as a result of aircraft noise complaints from around the area.

Pleasanton, TX (PEZ) – NOTAMs restricting approaches at night and use of GPS will be canceled on Sept. 4th edition to the approach procedures. NEW approach procedures to Runway 34 including a new GPS approach will be published at that time as well. Check your NOTAMs.

New Braunfels, TX (BAZ) – the long awaited NEW GPS approach to Runway 35 will also be published in the Sept. 4th edition to the approach procedures. Check your NOTAMs.

City of San Antonio’s Air Transportation Advisory Commission – met on Aug. 20th. The Aviation Dept.’s consultants to the commission provided two briefings. One concerned concept plans for construction of additions to the current Terminal I (to be now called Terminal A), a new terminal B between TI and the current Terminal II, and the future demolition of the current Terminal II and building of a new Terminal C in the area, plus plans for a future Terminal D (if needed) west of that area (probably in the area of GENAERO).

In addition, I was able to listen to the Aviation Dept.’s briefing to the new City Council the week of Aug. 17th, where the Director went through all the capital improvements planned for both San Antonio International and Stinson Airports. Currently there are several environmental studies (EISs) on going that should come to fruition early next year, funding accomplished and construction started in the various phases. Architectural planning is already underway for many of these projects. (I’m sure we’ll hear more about these later and hopefully GA needs will be taken into account.)

Safety Item

San Antonio Tower was involved in an operational system error this past week. It was an airport surface error involving the tower’s local controller and departures on Runways 12R and 3.

The tower controller apparently had a lapse in memory, when he cleared an aircarrier for departure on Runway 12R and then turned around and simultaneously cleared another aircarrier for takeoff on Runway 3, issuing traffic to the aircraft as a departure on 12R. (Can’t do that at the same time). Fortunately, realizing his mistake after the aircraft were rolling aborted the 12R departure’s takeoff in time. The controller had thought he had issued position and hold to the aircarrier on Runway 3 and just issued the traffic departing on Runway 12R as an advisory. This was a case of the controller losing focus for a few seconds.

One lesson that is important here in this incident was the awareness of what is going on around you is important (even for an aircarrier pilot). Don’t get complacent just because you are operating in a controlled environment. One or both pilots should have questioned the clearance when issued, especially the pilot who was departing Runway 3, since the area at the approach end of runway 12 Right is not visible from the departure end of Runway 3. (By the way, the controller involved was an experienced controller.)

Reminder - All information contained in this update is only as current as the day it was received. Please check NOTAMs, the local ATIS, with your AFSS or Air Traffic facilities for the latest information.

NOTE: The September issue of our Safety Column – PART TWO - Safety of Flight – the FAA’s Flight Service Station Functions will be sent at a later date in September. Be on the look out for your copy, it should prove interesting and educational.

William L. Czervinske

Aviation Safety Counselor