Uncontrolled Field Operations - IVAO-US

International Virtual Aviation Organisation
United Stated Division
Uncontrolled Field Operations
An airport without an operational control tower or the control tower has set operational hours
and an aircraft is arriving during the times that the control tower is closed.
All IFR operations into and out of uncontrolled fields are completed using One-In-One-Out rule.
IFR Departures
When providing IFR Services to airports without an operational tower, or an operational tower
after normal operating hours a pilot has two options:

Call prior to departure for IFR clearance, then depart the field and report entering
controlled airspace to the departure frequency of the controller.

Note: the pilot is responsible to depart the field maintaining visual separation from other
aircraft until being radar identified.

Depart VFR and receive IFR clearance while airborne.
IFR Clearance prior to Departure
Nothing changes to the standard CRAFT Clearance that is given at a controlled airport. Once the
clearance is read-back, the controller may assign Departure Restrictions.
Airspace Restriction - used to instruct the aircraft to fly specific heading upon entering
controlled airspace. This is normally used where Class Echo begins higher than the normal
700/1200 AGL which is common in mountainous terrain or outside of radar coverage.
Phraseology - Cessna 419CM, when entering controlled airspace fly heading one three zero
until reaching five thousand before proceeding on course.
Navaid Restriction - Used in the same manner as Airspace Restriction. This is a good
technique for sequencing aircraft out of an uncontrolled airport to prevent interference with the
primary airport arrival/departure flow.
Phraseology - Cessna 419 Charlie Mike, fly zero three one bearing to the Kennedy VOR,
until reaching five thousand before proceeding on course.
Release the Aircraft for Departure - You must issue a release. This is not an option.
Basic Release - By utilizing this form, you authorize the pilot to simply depart IFR with no
Restrictions.
Phraseology - November Five Eight Six Romeo Lima, released for departure.
Revised: May 2015
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Release with Clearance Void Time - When issuing this form, you are advising the pilot that
he has a specified time to depart and after that time, the clearance is VOID. (A reminder, that if
you issue a long clearance void time, then the airport is closed to other IFR arrivals and
departures until the original aircraft is airborne and under positive control). A couple of things
to remember:
1. You must provide alternate instructions requiring the pilots to advise ATC of their
intentions no later than 30 minutes after the clearance void time if not airborne.
2. The facility delivering the clearance void time to the pilot shall issue a time check.
Phraseology - Helicopter two four Bravo Oscar, Released for Departure at one five three
zero zulu. Clearance void if not off by one six one zero zulu. If not off by one six zero zero
Zulu, advise Teterboro Approach not later than one six zero zero Zulu of intentions. Time now
one five two zero Zulu.
IFR Arriving Aircraft
For IFR aircraft arriving at uncontrolled airports, the Approach Controller DOES NOT assign an
approach or runway. The Approach Controller provides the weather conditions at the arrival
field. If no METAR available at the arriving field, provide the nearest reporting weather along
with the name of the facility. The Approach controller will then ask the pilot for the desired
approach.
Phraseology - Skyhawk eight five one Sierra Hotel, Select approach to Wilkes-Barre
After being advised of the desired approach, the Approach controller will vector the aircraft for
the instrument/visual approach into the airport. If the pilot selects a visual approach, he remains
under IFR control and the one in and one out rule still applies. The pilot must still cancel IFR or
report on the ground (the pilot may cancel the IFR flight plan when reporting the field in sight).
Once established on the approach to an uncontrolled field, the pilot will need to switch to CTAF
(Common Traffic Advisory Frequency) or UNICOM, to publish his location and intentions over
the open frequency for other aircraft operating within the uncontrolled airport environment.
While the pilot is being released from communications the Approach controller will want to
cancel radar services at the same time. Since there is no ATC available at the uncontrolled
airport, the pilot must either cancel IFR prior to arriving or report when on the ground. Give the
pilot a friendly reminder.
Phraseology - Saratoga five five bravo, Radar Services Terminated, Change to advisory
frequency approved. Report on the ground on this frequency.
One-In, One-Out
One aircraft may be cleared for an approach or released for departure at a time. This is done in
order to provide adequate separation, since there is no tower service available. Exceptions to this
rule do exist.
Revised: May 2015
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A controller may release a departure if the departing aircraft will be airborne prior to the
approaching aircraft reaching a fix no less than 4nm from the airport
If one pilot has the other aircraft in sight and can provide visual separation, then the arrival
and departure may be approved without restrictions.
Remember, if the aircraft departs VFR or cancels IFR at any point, prior to the other arriving,
then this rule does not apply to that aircraft. The One-In, One-Out rule DOES NOT apply to
VFR aircraft.
Revised: May 2015
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