Story ID: 
Draft AC Updates Non-tower Operational Procedures
By: Gordon Gilbert
Caption: Draft contains recommended traffic patterns, communications phraseology and operational procedures for use by aircraft, in addition to drones.
Word Count: 252
A quarter century after issuing its first Advisory Circular (AC) on operating procedures at non-tower airports, the FAA has issued the draft of an updated version. Proposed AC 90-66B contains many changes from the original AC published in August 1993, including adding information pertaining to drones. The advisory also applies to controlled airports when their towers are not in operation.

The draft contains recommended traffic patterns, communications phraseology and operational procedures for aircraft, lighter-than-air aircraft, gliders, parachutes, and rotorcraft, in addition to drones. Included is safety-related advice for conducting IFR operations, wake turbulence avoidance, no-radio procedures, unicom communications, and practice approaches.  

Drones do not require permission or authorization to operate at a non-tower airport. However, because remote PICs are required to yield right-of-way to all other aircraft and avoid interfering in traffic pattern operations, “The FAA expects that most remote PICs will avoid operating in the vicinity of airports, because their aircraft generally do not require airport infrastructure.”

The proposed AC also reminds pilots not to correct other pilots on frequency, particularly student pilots, unless it is safety critical. “If you disagree with what another pilot is doing, and you feel you must discuss it with that pilot, wait until you are on the ground to have that discussion.”

Finally, there is a warning that other aircraft might be departing or landing in “the opposite direction to your aircraft due to an IFR departure, noise abatement, obstacle avoidance or runway length requirements.”