FAA JOINT ORDER 7110.65 authorizes the application and use of Visual Separation between aircraft under the control of the same facility. Historically in Terminal Facilities, Air Traffic Controllers worked in an Up/Down environment. They would rotate through the RADAR room and the Tower. In recent years, the Federal Aviation Administration has separated these functions at select locations and created a separate RADAR facility, known as a TRACON (Terminal RADAR Approach Control). This is the case in Atlanta, Georgia. Atlanta ATCT (ATL) and Atlanta TRACON (A80) are two separate and distinct air traffic facilities, each with their own employees.
In keeping with the spirit and intent of the regulations and rules governing the National Airspace System, the use and application of Visual Separation for aircraft transitioning between the two facilities will continue as if the two facilities remained one.
There will be no change in the use or application of Visual Separation in the Atlanta Terminal area, therefore the users of the National Airspace System should see no difference and this will have no effect on the flying community.
Questions about these procedures should be referred to:
Mark J. Dillon
Operations Support Specialist
Atlanta TRACON (A80)
Ph: 678-364-6175
E−mail: mark.dillon@faa.gov