Section 1. Introduction
This order provides instructions, standards, and guidance for operating and managing air traffic facilities.
- Part 1 contains information generally applicable to two or more options.
- Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 prescribe instructions unique to each discipline:
- Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC).
- Terminal Air Traffic Control Facilities.
- Flight Service Stations.
- Part 5 prescribes the instructions for traffic management applicable to the David J. Hurley Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC), center, and terminal facilities.
- Part 6 is regulatory information concerning waivers, authorizations, exemptions, and flight restrictions.
- Part 7 provides the overview concerning System Operations Security, Strategic and Tactical Operations, which are further delineated in FAA Order JO 7610.4, Special Operations. Part 7 explains Air Traffic's role in the security realm, military activities, and other events which have impact on facilities and the NAS.
This order applies to all ATO personnel and anyone using ATO directives.
This order is available on the FAA website at http://faa.gov/air_traffic/publications and https://employees.faa.gov/tools_resources/orders_notices/.
FAA Order JO 7210.3CC, Facility Operation and Administration, dated June 17, 2021, and all changes to it are canceled.
The significant changes to this order are identified in the Explanation of Changes page(s). It is advisable to retain the page(s) throughout the duration of the basic order.
- This order and its changes are scheduled to be published to coincide with AIRAC dates.
- The “Cutoff Date for Completion" in the table below refers to the deadline for a proposed change to be fully coordinated and signed. Change initiators must submit their proposed changes well in advance of this cutoff date to meet the publication effective date. The process to review and coordinate changes often takes several months after the change is initially submitted.
TBL 1-1-1
Publication Schedule
Basic or Change |
Cutoff Date for Completion |
Effective Date of Publication |
---|---|---|
JO 7210.3DD |
11/3/22 |
4/20/23 |
Change 1 |
4/20/23 |
10/5/23 |
Change 2 |
10/5/23 |
3/21/24 |
Change 3 |
3/21/24 |
9/5/24 |
JO 7210.3EE |
9/5/24 |
2/20/25 |
Change 1 |
2/20/25 |
8/7/25 |
Change 2 |
8/7/25 |
1/22/26 |
Change 3 |
1/22/26 |
7/9/26 |
If an FAA facility has not received the order/changes at least 30 days before the above effective dates, the facility must notify its service area office distribution officer.
The responsibility associated with processing and coordinating revisions to this order is delegated to the Director, Policy, AJV-P.
- Personnel should submit recommended changes in procedures to facility management.
- Recommendations from other sources should be submitted through appropriate FAA, military, or industry/user channels.
- Proposed changes must be submitted electronically to 9-AJV-P-HQ-Correspondence@faa.gov. The submission should include a description of the recommended change, and the proposed language to be used in the order.
NOTE-
For details on the submission process as well as additional AJV-P processing responsibilities, please see FAA Order JO 7000.5, Procedures for Submitting Changes to Air Traffic Control Publications.
- Procedural changes will not be made to this order until the operational system software has been adapted to accomplish the revised procedures.
- Exceptional or unusual requirements may dictate procedural deviations or supplementary procedures to this order. The written approval of the Vice President of System Operations Services must be obtained prior to issuing a supplemental or procedural deviation to this order which decreases the level, quality, or degree of service required by this order.
- Prior approval by the following appropriate military headquarters is required for subsequent interface with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) if military operations or facilities are involved. (See TBL 1-1-2.)
Branch |
Address |
---|---|
U.S. Air Force |
HQ AFFSA/A3A |
U.S. Army |
Director |
U.S. Navy |
Department of the Navy |
Every employee is responsible to ensure the safety of equipment and procedures used in the provision of services within the National Airspace System (NAS). Risk assessment techniques and mitigations, as appropriate, are intended for implementation of any planned safety significant changes within the NAS, as directed by FAA Order 1100.161, Air Traffic Safety Oversight. Direction regarding the Safety Management System (SMS) and its application can be found in the FAA Safety Management System Manual and FAA Order 1100.161. The Safety Management System will be implemented through a period of transitional activities. (Additional information pertaining to these requirements and processes can be obtained by contacting the service area offices.)
When references are made to regional office organizations that are not part of the ATO (i.e., Communications Center, Flight Standards, Airport offices, etc.), the facility should contact the FAA region where the facility is physically located - not the region where the facility's Service Area office is located.
This order is distributed to selected offices in Washington headquarters, Service Area offices, regional offices, the William J. Hughes Technical Center, the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, all air traffic field facilities, international aviation field offices, and interested aviation public.