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7 Answers

Touch and Go Landing at Military Airports?

Asked by: 10055 views FAA Regulations, General Aviation, Student Pilot

I live fairly close to a military base. My questions is, once I'm a private pilot - can I request touch and go landings at the airport?

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7 Answers



  1. Micah on Feb 08, 2012

    You can request it, but the tower will almost certainly not grant your request. I’m at a loss to remember what it is called, but landing at a military base in the US requires permission that is separate and in addition to the tower’s landing clearance. If you do land at the base, even in the case of a legitimate emergency, you will almost certainly be arrested and detained on the grounds of national security (eventually, if you are innocent of any ill intent, you should be released).
     
    That does not mean you can’t request an instrument approach or even a low approach at a military base. I’ve seen civilian aircraft do both. But don’t expect that because you are FAA authorized and because you request this, that you should receive permission. The US military operates independent of FAA authorization.

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  2. Bill Trussell on Feb 08, 2012

    The answer is not a clear one unfortunately, as it depends on the facility.  During my instrument training we were allowed to do “approaches” to Andrews AFB in Washington DC but not landings.  It worked out well for both the trainee and the facility as we gave them more operations than they would have otherwise.  After 9/11 that option went away.
    In another case we were allowed to do touch and go landings at Ford Island, at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii for trianing purposes but you were not allowed to stop.  Wouldn’t you know I developed a minor engine problem during a touch and go landing for a renters checkout and had to stop.  They were very nice about it but I was nervous to say the least.
    This is a local knowledge thing that is very facility dependent.  Also, there are joint use facilities all over the country that deal with civil operations all the time.
    Check wiith your local instructors to find out the specifics for each case, but never assume that it is ok until you know for sure.
     

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  3. Micah on Feb 08, 2012

    Bill is right about the difference in joint use facilities, and some reserve faciities (usually joint use) are different from active bases. I only have experience at one AFB, so my comments may be limited. I know, however, that at this AFB if you transgress the flight line, whether AF or civilian, without the proper orders you will be detained at gunpoint and immediately.

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  4. Derek Schwalenberg on Feb 08, 2012

    You can do touch and go’s at KBAF Barne’s AFB all day long. Westover AFB, next door only allows full-stop landings. (or low approaches but no touch and gos) Both are dual military/civilian airports though a full military airport will require permission from the commander or whoever is in charge. Moral of the story is check the AFD before you go to an airport that you are unfamiliar with.

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  5. Curtis Ide on Feb 08, 2012

    Agreed a full military airport you will need a PPR from base ops/airfield management.  At a joint use airport similar to ones listed above where there is a civilian side to the field, Charleston, SC, Elizabeth City,NC, you may be able to do touch and go’s based on the local operating procedures.  If the airport is listed in the NACO A/FD it wil tell you if a ppr is required and will normaly mention touch and go’s full stops etc.  Also, just like any field they may change on a daily basis over the ATIS.

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  6. Jim Foley on Feb 08, 2012

    Touch and go’s, most likely not.  Instrument approaches or low approaches, most likely yes, depending on traffic volume.  I do instrumnet/low approaches at Whiteman AFB (where the B2 Stealth Bomber is kept) all the time.  My flight school has been allowd to actually land there a few times.  We had prior permission, and brought a couple of our aircraft in for a static display at their airshow. 
    If you want to, just ask.  The worst they can say is ‘denied’.  Not like they’re gonna send up interceptors to get you.

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  7. Shungo on May 23, 2012

    I did touch & go at Ford Island (Pearl Harbor, Hawaii) (1995). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s1kzeIaHEk

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