ISSUED: January 7, 2011 EFFECTIVE: January 13, 2011
SUBJECT: VFR TRANSITION ROUTE ALTITUDES OVER PHOENIX SKY HARBOR
AIRPORT
CANCELLATION: JANUARY 12, 2012
Currently, unplanned IFR missed approach aircraft climbing to 4,000’ MSL over Phoenix
Sky Harbor Airport may potentially conflict with VFR aircraft operating at 3,500’/4,000’
MSL on the VFR East/West Transition Route.
This potential conflict exists because large, turbine-powered Instrument Flight Rules
aircraft executing missed approach must climb to 4,000’ MSL to reach Minimum Vectoring
Altitudes. These aircraft must also be issued a diverging heading to separate them from
other aircraft on final approach to an adjacent runway or from aircraft departing a parallel
runway ahead.
In order to maintain safety and efficiency of airspace over Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport it
has become necessary to route VFR aircraft through the Phoenix Class B airspace on the
VFR East/West Transition Route at an altitude of 4,500’ MSL or higher as assigned by
ATC.
If you have any questions regarding this procedure, please contact Curt Faulk, Operations
Support Manager, Phoenix Terminal Radar Approach Control, at (602) 306-2514.
Phillip D. Thornton
Air Traffic Manager: Phoenix Terminal Radar Approach Control
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
PHOENIX TERMINAL RADAR APROACH CONTROL
3500 E SKY HARBOR BOULEVARD
PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85034-4400
