Procedures at class C airport when tower and approach are unavailable
Asked by: mm1 4719 views Airspace, FAA Regulations, Private Pilot
I saw these NOTAMs for my local class C airport (KLEX) and would appreciate some guidance:
SERVICE AIRPORT CONTROL TOWER CLOSED CLASS D SERVICE NOT AVAILABLE CONTACT INDIANAPOLIS ARTCC AT 126.37. 22 OCT 01:00 2016 UNTIL 23 OCT 09:00 2016. CREATED: 20 OCT 17:52 2016
SERVICE LEXINGTON APPROACH CONTROL CLOSED CLASS C SERVICE NOT AVAILABLE CONTACT INDIANAPOLIS ARTCC AT 126.37. 22 OCT 01:00 2016 UNTIL 23 OCT 09:00 2016. CREATED: 20 OCT 18:10 2016
NAVIGATION ILS RUNWAY 22 LOC/GP NOT MONITOR, MONITORING, OR MONITORED. 23 OCT 01:00 2016 UNTIL 23 OCT 09:00 2016. CREATED: 20 OCT 17:27 2016
SERVICE ATIS 126.300 OUT OF SERVICE. 23 OCT 01:00 2016 UNTIL 23 OCT 09:00 2016. CREATED: 20 OCT 01:00 2016
TERMINAL AREA SURVEILLANCE RADAR/SECONDARY SURVEILLANCE RADAR OUT OF SERVICE. 23 OCT 01:30 2016 UNTIL 23 OCT 02:30 2016. CREATED: 21 OCT 16:58 2016
I called airport operations and they said they would be operating "zero ATC" for maintenance and procedures would be as if it's a non-towered airport. I asked about self reporting and they said to use the tower frequency of 119.1.
So, here are my questions:
1. Am I free to taxi to my runway without clearance from anyone? Ground frequency is not available. Do I just self report on tower frequency what I'm doing?
2. Do I have to contact Indianapolis on 126.37 prior to takeoff or do I just self announce on tower frequency that I'm taking off? I don't understand why it says Class D Sevice not available.
3. I plan to contact Indy once airborne to pick up an IFR clearance after taking off VFR. I'm assuming clearance delivery will not be available but will check. Any other suggestions on this?
4. When I return to KLEX I'm assuming I contact Indy for approach control - correct?
5. If I return IFR will Indy cancel my IFR flight plan for me or do I need to cancel on my own?
6. Does the airspace become Class E to the surface when the tower is closed?
Ive never experienced this situation before, so I would apprciate any guidance you can provide. I'm trying to gather as much information as possible before flying in this situation.
Thanks
mm
The following terms have been auto-detected the question above and any answers or discussion provided. Click on a term to see its definition from the Dauntless Aviation JargonBuster Glossary.