Story ID: 
FAA Issues Midair Collision Warning in Charleston
By: Gordon Gilbert
Caption: Turbine aircraft need to be especially careful in this corridor
Word Count: 214
The FAA Safety Team has issued a notice to help prevent midair collisions near Charleston International Airport (KCHS) in South Carolina, as well as surrounding general aviation facilities such as Berkeley County Airport (KMKS), Mount Pleasant Regional Airport (KLRO), and Summerville Airport (KDYB). An FAA spokesperson told AIN that the notice should not have referred to actual midair collisions but to “several near-midair collisions” that have taken place in the area.
Caution is especially required for VFR pilots arriving and departing these airports and for aircraft, “especially turbine aircraft,” picking up IFR clearances when airborne. A Class C clearance is required if above 1,200 feet in the outer ring. However, the notice advises that, even if clear of the Class C airspace, pilots should contact Tracon to advise intentions. Critical frequencies include 121.7 when on the east side of the area and 120.7 on the west side.
An accompanying chart from the AOPA Air Safety Institute depicts the area around KCHS that contains the departure and arrival corridors for large private and commercial jet traffic. The chart advises pilots to treat this airspace as a terminal radar service area, stay below 2,000 feet until in contact with KCHS Tracon, and, if ATC doesn’t respond, “avoid the corridors until well clear.”