The FAA last week released its annual Notam to prepare flight crews and passengers for what to expect from the ATC system in the days before and immediately following the May 2 running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. There will be no FAA-managed slot-reservation program, but traffic management initiatives will be used when arrival rates exceed airport capacity.
Pilots should prepare for potential airborne holding, reroutes or expect departure clearance times (EDCTs) that may be issued for all domestic IFR arrivals to Louisville International airport (SDF), Bowman Field (LOU) and Clark County (JVY). The FAA suggests pilots contact their preferred FBOs well in advance of arrival and departure times to minimize delays. Standard arrival routings will be used, but departure planning must include the specific routes outlined in the Notam.
Flight plans should be filed between 24 hours and six hours before the scheduled arrival time. If an ATC traffic management program should become necessary, crews can expect to pick up their EDCTs from either their flight-plan service provider or the FAA’s website.