23 rd Wing, Detachment 1 MacDilll Air Force Base (Deployed Fighter Unit Comple ex) & Avon Park Air Force Range (Restricted Area R-2901) Mid-Air Collision Avoidan nce ( M.A.C. A.) 1 August 2010
Purpose This handbook is intended to provide general information only and is not a definitive manual or chart. Always consult current FAA regulations, available charts, and consider existing meteorological conditions. The United States Air Force accepts no liability for any claim arising under or as a result of reliance upon this handbook, and reserves protection from liability as afforded under the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 USC, Section 2680. 2
THE MID-AIR COLLISION POTENTIAL Despite numerous advances in air traffic rules and separation devices, the potential for a mid-air will always be present. Research has proven that the most critical times for midair collisions are the first three minutes after take-off and the last eight minutes before landing. Mid-airs usually occur on clear days (more people flying) and near airports (higher density traffic at similar altitudes). The most reliable means of preventing mid-air collisions is to see and avoid. Pilots must divide their attention between the aircraft instrumentation and outside clearing. They should also encourage other occupants of the aircraft to assist with looking out for conflicting air traffic. The geometry of a collision course can occur quickly in the fast moving arena of flight. Keep your eyes and ears open, listen to your radio and clear outside your aircraft. SEE AND AVOID CONCEPT The number one cause of mid-air collisions is the failure to properly adhere to the "see and avoid" concept. In accordance with FAR Part 91, this concept requires that vigilance shall be maintained at all times, by each person operating an aircraft, regardless of whether the operation is conducted under IFR or VFR. 3
Fellow Aviators: We are providing this brochure to you in the hope that the information contained will be useful to you while flying in the Tampa/MacDill AFB and Avon Park Bombing Range(Central & South Florida) area. The Tampa area has numerous airfields including, but not limited to, Tampa International, St. Petersburg-Clearwater International, Vandenberg, Peter O. Knight, Albert Whitted Municipal, and MacDill Air Force Base, and the Avon Park Air Force Range located in Central Florida approx 60 nm South of Orlando International Airport. Always use current Flight Information Publications (FLIP) and check the Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) when operating in the Tampa and near Restricted Area R-2901 (Avon Park AFR) area. The military flying activity in these areas are very busy, and MacDill hosts aircraft varying greatly in size and performance small fighters such as the F-16 to the very large C-5 are common on our ramp. MacDill AFB is home to Air Force and NOAA aircraft, while a wide variety of Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps aircraft periodically deploy in for training. There are frequently times when the MacDill traffic pattern gets saturated with different types of aircraft. Additionally, on a daily basis the Restricted Area R-2901, (containing the Avon Park Bombing range) is continually busy with military fast moving fighter aircraft. All flyers, whether military or civilian, must remain aware of the potential for mid-air collisions. Through education, awareness, and application of the See and Avoid concept, we can all share the skies more safely. While this brochure may be used as an aid for Tampa and Central/South Florida area aviators, it cannot compare to a good pair of eyes and proper flight planning. We hope that this may be of use to you. If you have any questions about this brochure, or if you need additional copies, please feel free to call or write us. For information, please contact: 23 Wing, Det 1/DO 8707 North Golf Course Road MacDill AFB, FL 33621 Phone: (813) 828-2902 Fax: (813) 828-1893 Dick.Cutshall@avonpark.macdill.af.mil 4
COLLISION AVOIDANCE TIPS Studies on mid-air collisions show most accidents occur below 8000 feet AGL and near airports, NAVAIDS, and other highdensity traffic areas. Here are some ideas to help reduce your mid-air collision potential: 1. Know areas of high-density traffic. 2. Fly as high as practical. 3. Obtain an IFR clearance or participate in radar flight following whenever possible, and continue to practice "see and avoid" at all times. 4. Use landing lights at lower altitudes, especially when near airports. 5. Announce your intentions on uni-com and use standard traffic pattern procedures at uncontrolled fields. Try to present a "predictable target." 6. Always use your transponder (upgrade it with an altitude reporting capability). Cross-check its accuracy with ATC whenever possible. 7. Use the appropriate hemispheric altitudes. 8. Constantly watch for other aircraft. Develop a proper scan technique by knowing where to look and concentrating on the most critical areas. Scan an area 60 degrees to the left and right of your central visual area and 10 degrees up and down from your flight altitude. The common rule when scanning for military aircraft is, if you see one, look for more. 5
9. Keep your windshield and windows clean and clear. A bug on the windscreen can obstruct and disrupt your visual lookout. 10. Learn proper task management in the air. Learning the proper methods will help reduce your workload and increase efficiency when time is critical. 11. Do not get complacent during instruction. Instructors make mistakes too. Many mid-air collisions have occurred during periods of instruction or supervision. 12. When flying at night, do not use white light inside the aircraft. White light disrupts your night vision, even if used momentarily. Use a red light at night. 13. Beware of wake turbulence. 14. If another aircraft appears to have no relative motion in your windscreen but is increasing in size, it is on a direct collision course with you. 15. Execute appropriate clearing procedures before and during all climbs, descents, turns, abnormal maneuvers and aerobatics. 16. Above all, AVOID COMPLACENCY! 6
IFR/VFR Procedures for MacDill AFB IFR Procedures: General: Authorization for civil aircraft to enter MacDill AFB Class D airspace will be coordinated with 6 OSS/OSA, (813) 828-1759/2967, well in advance. Current policy, as dictated by national security concerns, will not be compromised for convenience. Aircraft with a valid need to transit the airspace will be approved on a case by case basis. The MacDill AFB tower does not have radar control, but controllers do their best to visually acquire and warn-off approaching civilian aircraft. Additionally, Tampa Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) helps divert unwanted civilian aircraft when conditions permit. Tampa TRACON controls all aircraft transiting Tampa s Class B airspace. This includes aircraft in or around MacDill AFB s Class D airspace. Departures: Aircraft depart MacDill AFB talking on Tower frequency, then switch to Tampa Departure. Normally MacDill AFB departures climb on runway heading to 400 ft AGL before turning. Runway 04 departures then turn right to heading 080, while runway 22 departures turn left to heading 190. All departures climbs are restricted 1,600 ft MSL initially, until cleared higher by Tampa TRACON. Radar traffic pattern: MacDill AFB s radar traffic pattern altitude is 1,600 ft MSL and operates close to Peter O. Knight Airport and Albert Whitted Municipal. Civilian aircraft operators should exercise extreme vigilance and caution in the vicinity of these two airports due to heavy military traffic around MacDill AFB. VFR procedures: Traffic pattern: MacDill AFB s rectangular VFR pattern altitude is 1,100 ft MSL. Remember, MacDill AFB s traffic should normally work east of the runway, but can arrive from any number of directions. 7
MacDill AFB TRAFFIC PATTERNS 8
LOCAL AIRPORTS AROUND MACDILL AFB - Tampa International - Plant City - Vandenburg - Lakeland - St Pete/Clearwater - Wiamuma - Albert Whitted - Peter Oknight 9
MacDill AFB Class D Airspace 2600 feet MSL This airspace is utilized by Tampa Approach. 2100 feet Tampa Approach Control may use that airspace within Class D airspace which is west of a line 1 and 1/2 NM west of and parallel to Runway 04/22, extending from the surface up to but not including 1200 feet MSL This airspace is utilized by Tam pa Approach. MSL 1600 feet MSL This airspace can not be utilized by either facility without advance coordination 1.5 NM Class D Airspace 4.5 NM Airspace used by MCF Tower up to and including 1600 feet MSL. Note: Not to Scale MacDill AFB Field Elevation: 14 Feet MSL 10
MacDill AFB Transient Aircraft and Aircraft Often Seen Operating at Avon Park AFR (R-2901) C-5 Galaxy C-17 Globemaster 11
F-16 Falcon F-15 Strike Eagle A-10 Thunderbolt II 12
C-130 Hercules KC-135 C-37 Gulfstream 13
PARACHUTE OPERATION MACDILL AFB Often, parachuting activity takes place over MacDill AFB s airfield. However, High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) activity can take place as high as 10,000 ft. MSL. Normally, parachuting operations take place: - In the Gann Drop Zone (DZ), but locations may vary. - Between 1250 & 1500 ft. AGL. - Between 7:30 AM & 4:00 PM (although they can occur at any time) Note: HALO operations are normally completed before 10:00 AM. Specific parachuting information is always listed in the Local NOTAMs AVON PARK AIR FORCE RANGE 14
RESTRICTED AREA AND IMPACT AREA BOUNDARIES 15
SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE R2901 - Avon Park AFR LAKE PLACID MOA MARIAN MOA 16
TYPICAL FIGHTER AIRCRAFT ROUTING FROM MACDILL AFB TO AVON PARK AFR (R2901) ALTITUDES VARY FROM 4000ft AGL to FL180 68 17
LOCAL AIRPORTS AROUND AVON PARK AFR Check Miami Sectional 18
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