Flying In/Out Of EUG

Do you fly in and out of Eugene? Are you planning to? Here's how to make sure you get the best service possible:

Contact Cascade Approach on 119.6 at least 12 miles from the airport. Why? The tower owns the airspace within 6 miles of the airport. Calling 12 or more miles from the airport will allow the approach controller to radar identify you, issue pattern entry instructions, and in the event it is necessary, provide a vector to avoid traffic or establish a landing sequence, all prior to you entering the tower's airspace.

On initial call include: Type aircraft, full callsign, approximate location, altitude, and ATIS code. Why? The FAA requires us to get all of this information from you. If you make it a habit to provide it on initial contact we avoid tying up the frequency while we ask you for this information. This allows us to provide better service to you. Examples: "Cascade Approach, Cessna 94299 one-five north at four thousand, landing with Lima.", "Cascade Approach, Arrow 377LC over Drain at three thousand five hundred, inbound with Zulu."

If you are within 5 miles of the airport, are not on a vector for sequencing, and are still on approach frequency, ask the controller if you should call the tower. Why? At 5 miles you are already in the tower's airspace. Perhaps the approach controller has coordinated with the tower controller and is vectoring you to follow another aircraft, but more likely either we forgot to tell you to call the tower (It happens. We're human too!), or you missed the frequency change (It happens. You're human too!) I've seen 747s land at SFO on approach control's frequency (Without a landing clearance.) because either the pilot or the controller forgot to change frequencies.

Avoid flying inbound on the departure course. That is, stay 2-3 miles right or left of the extended centerline of the departure end of the runway. Why? The departure corridor is a busy place, and it would ruin both of ours day if you were to bump into one of the departures.

If you plan on remaining in closed traffic, let the approach controller know on initial contact. Why? We make our sequence according to type of landing. For instance we may put a touch and go aircraft in front of a full stop aircraft, because they will not occupy the runway as long. On the other hand we may do just the opposite, because the touch and go needs more room following a larger aircraft. Knowing your request in advance allows the controller to plan his/her traffic accordingly and provide better service to you. Example: "Cascade Approach, Experimental 522P over Monroe at three thousand five hundred, inbound with Zulu, request closed traffic for touch and goes." The tower controller may have to re-sequence you, based on the traffic that is already in the pattern, or those awaiting departure.

If you have a request for a particular runway let the approach controller know as early as possible. Why? The earlier they know, the better the chance they can make it happen. We will make every effort to accommodate your request, but there will be times we are not able to because of other traffic.

If you're having any kind of problem with your aircraft or avionics let us know as soon as possible. Why? Knowing as soon as possible allows us to adjust our plans accordingly and arrange for assistance should you require it. Often times a small problem grows into a larger problem. Knowing about the small problem lets us prepare for the possibility that it will get worse, and allows us to provide appropriate assistance for you. No problem of yours is insignificant to us. Your safety is our number one priority! That's what we're here for!

We can't taxi you to the terminal for parking or even passenger drop off or pick up. Why? We have no control over this. It is a restriction put in place by the City of Eugene. There are two FBOs on the airport that offer transient parking. On the south ramp near the tower is Flightcraft with BP fuel. On the north ramp near the old (short) tower is Friendly Air. Both monitor 122.95, and both are about the same walking distance from the terminal which is the only place on the airport with a restaurant (Wings) and rental cars. (Hertz, Avis, Budget, and National) There is a self-serve fuel station on the east ramp.

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DEPARTURES -

If you would like VFR flight following (radar traffic advisories) tell the ground controller when you call to taxi. Why? This allows us to make the necessary computer entries and accomplish the required coordination. If you tell the tower controller when you are ready for take off that you want flight following it may delay your departure while he/she makes the necessary computer entries. Likewise, if you wait and call the departure controller after you are airborne, it will take longer to get radar identified. The ground controller is generally the least busy and best equipped to initiate these services. We don't want to discourage you from asking the tower or departure controller for flight following if you forgot to ask ground control, but rather would encourage you to ask ground control so that we can provide the best service possible to you.

If you are IFR, call for your clearance 5 or 10 minutes before you are ready to taxi. Why? It gives us time to deal with any problems that may crop up without delaying your departure.

Don't fly outbound on the final approach course. Why? The IFR, and many of the VFR, arrivals will already be using this airspace. This can result in a closer encounter than you might like with an airliner and it's wake turbulence. We can provide headings to fly to avoid the inbound traffic if you would like, just let the controller know.

If you plan on remaining in closed traffic, let the tower controller know on initial contact. Why? This will allow us to plan for your entry into the traffic pattern when we clear you for take off. We may have a hard time fitting you into the traffic pattern if you tell us on upwind that you want closed traffic. Early notice allows us to provide you with better service. Example: "Eugene Tower, Cessna 6471M ready runway 34 left, request closed traffic for touch and goes."

On initial call to ground control include: Type aircraft, full callsign, location on the airport, and ATIS code. Why? The FAA requires us to get all of this information from you. If you make it a habit to provide it on initial contact we avoid tying up the frequency while we ask you for this information. This allows us to provide better service to you. Examples: "Eugene Ground, Cessna 4706D at Friendly, taxi for departure with Fox-trot.", "Eugene Ground, Warrior 4346D at LCC run-up with Fox-trot, taxi for departure."

On initial call to tower include: Type aircraft, full callsign, runway (And intersection if you are not at the approach end.), and direction of flight. Why? The FAA requires us to get most of this information from you, and the rest we need to know for traffic planning. If you make it a habit to provide it on initial contact we avoid tying up the frequency while we ask you for this information. This allows us to provide better service to you. Examples: "Eugene Tower, Cessna 185RX ready for departure runway 34 left, request right downwind departure." "Eugene Tower, Warrior 8133E ready for departure runway 16 right at Alpha 5, request straight out departure."

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GENERAL -

If you are doing instrument training that includes "partial panel", please let us know. Why? Experience shows that aircraft conducting "partial panel" training tend not to hold a heading very well. When the controller has assigned another aircraft a heading or altitude based on what you were assigned, and you wander off of that heading because of "partial panel", it can result in a loss of separation between the aircraft. Giving us a heads up when you are conducting "partial panel" training will allow us to provide you and other pilots the safest service possible.

If you aren't sure about something we said, ask for a repeat or clarification. It is essential that we both have the same understanding about what is going to happen.

When you are "cleared for the option" you can make a touch and go, stop and go, low approach, or full stop. If you want something unusual (power out, low pass with mid-field break, etc.) please specifically request it. The controller will almost always accommodate these requests, but if you do something unexpected it can create a conflict with another aircraft.

Unless the controller specifies differently, use left traffic for the left runways (16L/34L), right traffic for the right runways (16R/34R), normal cross-wind and base turns, etc. Early base or cross-wind turns that the controller is not expecting can create a conflict with another aircraft. If you want an early turn, let the controller know. We can usually accommodate it, but again, a surprise can be a very bad thing.

We have the current Eugene and Corvallis weather available on this web site, as well as a link to the current forecast, courtesy of the Weather Underground.

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This page last modified on 06.27.07 .