Tower and restricted operating area ATC

 

    

    After cranking up the Aircraft and doing preflight checks you want to jump on the runway and into the sky taking on the freedom of the sky. This is how easy Hollywood makes aviation out to be. Of course we know this to be different. After making all the calls, filing plans, and checking weather we deal with control entities for the airports. When dealing with the runway and air space we always go through the Tower control (Airport Operations). In my UAS job we tend to switch from ground to tower while sitting at the line up and wait command. After take of we will keep in contact will that airfields tower until we leave that airspace. In my case its the Delta airspace. Tower is a vital component for our airfield. If tower wasn’t a regular part of our military airfield there would be a large number of incidents and major congestion on the run way. Tower control is a major player in keeping safe space and organization on and around the airspace. While smaller airfields can make due without a tower control due to the lack of traffic, our military airfield has helicopters and UAV’s flying in and all all the time. When we are leaving our class Delta we normally head into a ROZ (Restricted Operating Zone).

    Having different names at different places there is normally a control of the restricted areas( FAA.gov). At one duty station we simply called them “Range control”. Having the same responsibility as tower on the airfield, Range control adds a few responsibilities in the mix. First we call the restricted  control 30 minutes prior from take off to let them know we are wanting to enter the ROZ and request. Inside of one of these restricted zone could be any number of military exercises  taking place (FAA.gov). Ranging from helicopter flights, to Airborne paratrooper training Range control must keep separation in this airspace. Communication is a vital role with every control type in aviation because one mistake could cost lives. From personal experience it is best to adhere to their request. If you deviate from them they will be quick to radio you up and resolve the issue is a stern professional manner. All in the name of safely accomplishing the mission. Once you are returning to base you will reserve the order in which you entered the airspace and contact the landing airfield tower control and continues the process until you are off of the runway.  

 Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, Chapter 14 ( Airport Operations).

FAA.Gov, ENR 5.1, Prohibited, Restricted, and other Areas. (FAA.Gov)