UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA FOOTBALL

TUSCALOOSA, AL

AUGUST 31 - November 30, 2024

SPECIAL AIR TRAFFIC PROCEDURES

The following procedures will be implemented to enhance safety and minimize delays during the following University of Alabama home football games:

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

Traffic Management Initiatives may be required during peak traffic periods or during periods of reduced airport capacity. Pilots should be prepared for potential reroute, mile-in-trail or altitude restriction, holding, ground delay, or ground stop.

Plan to arrive early if possible, to avoid delays, airspace congestion, and limited parking.

Airport traffic control tower

The Tuscaloosa Regional Airport Traffic Control Tower (TCL ATCT) will operate 0700-2000 Local, unless otherwise advised by NOTAM.

APPROACH CONTROL

Birmingham Approach will provide Approach Control Service on frequency 120.15 to ALL arriving IFR aircraft and VFR aircraft.

Birmingham Approach will provide Approach Control Service on frequency 120.15 to DEPARTING IFR aircraft and VFR aircraft requesting RADAR advisories.

tUSCALOOSA ARRIVALS

Runway 22 is the preferred arrival runway, wind conditions permitting. Expect a visual approach if weather permits.

VFR Arrivals:

VFR Aircraft MUST contact Birmingham Approach at least 15 NM from KTCL for sequencing.

Do NOT contact KTCL ATCT until instructed to do so.

Keep transmissions brief to reduce frequency congestion.

IFR Arrivals:

Limited radar coverage exists in the Tuscaloosa area. During IFR conditions, pilots can expect an ILS Runway 4 or RNAV Runway 22 approach. If instrument approach is required, expect clearance for a straight-in only approach. Expect radar vectors at or above 4000 feet to remain in radar coverage.

Due to non-radar separation requirements, expect holding at or above 4000 feet until an approach clearance can be issued.

If possible, do not cancel IFR until in communication with TCL TOWER.

During periods of peak demand, IFR aircraft may expect clearance via:

bIRMINGHAM aRRIVALS

Prior to the game start time aircraft inbound to Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (KBHM) can expect clearance via:

DEPARTURES

Runway 04 is the preferred departure runway, wind conditions permitting.

DO NOT LEAVE THE RAMP/PARKING AREA until receiving IFR Clearance from Clearance Delivery (120.775).

DO NOT CALL THE TOWER FOR DEPARTURE until you are in the number one position for the runway.

VFR Departures: As demand dictates, VFR departures may be assigned an alternate departure runway by Ground Control.

TAXI PROCEDURES

Dixie Air: Proceed via Taxiway D to Taxiway D5 and hold short of RWY 30. When number one at Runway 30, contact Ground Control (121.8), for further instructions.

Hawthorne Global: Proceed to Taxiway B via Taxiway B2 and hold short of Taxiway B. When number one at Taxiway B, contact Ground Control (121.8) for further instructions.

Terminal Ramp, West Overflow Ramp, University Ramp, Runway 12/30 (closed for parking): Proceed to Taxiway A and hold short of Taxiway A. When number one at Taxiway A, contact Ground Control (121.8) for further instructions.

DO NOT CALL GROUND CONTROL until in reaching number one position holding short.

IMPORTANT – Pilots should MONITOR the correct frequency.

VFR /IFR PICKUP PROCEDURES

Unless an emergency situation exists:

DO NOT request IFR pickup below 3,000 feet MSL, due to radar coverage. If ceilings are below 4,000 feet you should depart IFR.

Squawk 1200 on departure.

If planning an IFR pick-up, ensure your IFR flight plan is on file.

Do NOT expect to receive IFR pick-up or air-filed flight plan clearance within 40 miles of TCL.

FLIGHT PLANNING

Be alert for a higher-than-normal number of aircraft operating in the vicinity of the Tuscaloosa Regional Airport. Expect various aircraft types, including numerous banner tow, advertising, and law enforcement aircraft.

Two-way radio communication is required. Request for No Radio (NORDO) operation will not be approved. To minimize frequency congestion, keep transmissions to a minimum.

Overflight operations below 2500 feet avoid the TCL area by at least 5NM. Aircraft operations other than arrival/departure should not expect approval from TCL ATCT. Practice approaches, touch-and-go operations, training flights, and formation flights may be directed to remain clear of the area.

Pilots should file flight plans with a proposed departure time (P-Time) one hour prior to the intended time of departure to allow TCL ATCT to plan airport movement and ensure flight plan info is available when clearance is requested.

TCL ATCT will ensure flight plans do not expire until four hours after the filed P-Time.

IMPORTANT! OBTAIN A COMPLETE WEATHER BRIEFING AND CHECK NOTAMS AND TRAFFIC ADVISORIES PRIOR TO DEPARTURE TO ENSURE YOU HAVE THE MOST CURRENT INFORMATION

LEIDOS FLIGHT SERVICES

Pilot briefing and flight planning services are available online through Leidos Pilot Portal at https://www.1800wxbrief.com/Website/ or by telephone at 1-800-WX-BRIEF (1-800-992-7433). Press 1 for a briefer, then press 2-5-2 or say “Alabama”.

Contact Anniston Radio on 122.2 in the Tuscaloosa, AL area for VFR flight plan activation and closure. In-flight pilot reports are encouraged.

TUSCALOOSA REGIONAL AIRPORT (TCL)

Ramps designated for aircraft parking include FBO ramps, Overflow Parking on the west ramp, and Runway 12/30 when closed by NOTAM.

All Ramp/Parking Areas and taxiways west of Taxiway A are considered non-movement areas.

If parked on Runway 12/30, use chocks to secure wheels. DO NOT LOCK BRAKES.

Aircraft parked on Runway 12/30 must be removed within 12 hours of arrival.

When Overflow Parking and/or Runway 12/30 are in use for parking, a DROP-AND-GO AREA will be activated on the terminal ramp between Taxiway A2 and Taxiway G.

Only drop-off/pick-up aircraft, team charters, or aircraft pre-approved by the airport manager are permitted to use the terminal ramp.

Fuel service is not available for non-approved aircraft located on the terminal ramp and will be given last priority for departure.

Aircraft willing to drop-and-go rather than park should notify ATC. TCL ATCT may approve the request based on traffic volume, weather, and workload.

Aircraft designated for passenger pick-up can expect access to the terminal ramp once their parties have arrived at the airport terminal and ramp space is available.

During periods of high traffic volume, temporary parking may be required on the overflow ramp unless otherwise advised by air traffic control.

The Airport Terminal is the DESIGNATED PASSENGER DROP-OFF/PICK-UP LOCATION for aircraft not parked at FBOs.

Ground transportation coordinated for aircraft not parked at FBOs shall be instructed to meet their parties at the airport terminal.

When passengers are ready, dedicated shuttles will provide transportation to the airport terminal for connect with ground transportation to the event.

PASSENGERS REMAIN WITH THE AIRCRAFT UNTIL A SHUTTLE ARRIVES.

Shuttles will provide transportation for returning passengers from the airport terminal to aircraft not located at FBOs.

FBO PARKING

Pilots/operators are strongly urged to contact either airport FBO BEFORE flying to TCL to ensure parking is available for overnight parking or passenger pick-up/drop-off located on their ramp. Fuel requests shall be submitted to the FBO before the operator leaves the airport or before the start of the event.

Any special ground transportation requests must be coordinated with the FBO(s). Requests will be considered based on available ramp space and support staff.

QUESTIONS

Call the Tuscaloosa Regional Airport at 205-248-5300, weekdays 0800-1600L or visit https://airport.tuscaloosa.com/gameday for the latest information regarding game day operations at the Tuscaloosa Regional Airport.

[(AJV-E23)Published 8/3/24]