Do you fly in and out of Medford? Are you planning
to? Here's how to make sure you get the best service possible:
Contact Cascade Approach on 124.3 at least 12 miles from the airport. Why? We need to have you change frequencies to the tower 6 miles from 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 714JX one-five north at six thousand, landing with Lima.", "Cascade Approach, Twin Cessna 340FF over Ashland at five 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!)
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 a notation on your radar data block so that the tower will know your request. Knowing your request in advance allows the tower controller to plan his/her traffic accordingly and provide better service to you. Example: "Cascade Approach, Cessna 9342U over Grants Pass at six thousand five hundred, inbound with Zulu, request closed traffic for touch and goes."
If you would like VFR flight following (radar traffic advisories) tell the ground controller when you call to taxi. Why? This allows them 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 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.
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 have the current Medford weather available on this web site, as well as a link to the current forcast, courtesy of the Weather Underground.
Home
| About
Our Local | About
Our Facility | About
NATCA
Flying
In/Out Eugene
| Links
| Funny Stuff
| Weather
| Photo Gallery
| Contact
Our Local
This page last modified on 06.27.07 .