KENTUCKY DERBY

LOUISVILLE, KY

April 30-May 4, 2025

SPECIAL AIR TRAFFIC PROCEDURES

Special air traffic procedures to manage increased traffic, enhance safety, and minimize delays are in effect for the following airports:

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

When traffic demand exceeds airport capacity, the Air Traffic Control Systems Command Center (ATCSCC) may apply traffic management initiatives to domestic, IFR arrivals. Pilots should anticipate Expect Departure Clearance Times (EDCT), airborne holding, or other potential delays.

Expect heavy demand and potential traffic management initiatives during the following periods:

PREFERRED IFR ARRIVAL ROUTES

Jet and turboprop aircraft are requested to file one of the following preferred routes:

NOTE: Prompt cancellation of IFR by aircraft arriving at KJVY is necessary due to volume.

FLIGHT PLANS

Indy Center and Louisville ATCT will not accept air filed flight plans to or from the Louisville area April 30 through May 4^th, 2025, except in emergencies. Airborne filed flight plans filed with other facilities may experience lengthy delays.

ATIS

MONITOR ATIS prior to initial contact with Louisville Approach Control.

SDF – 118.725 MHz

LOU-- 124.15 MHz

ZID 3/13/25

VFR ARRIVALS

***CLASS C SERVICE IS MANDATORY***

VFR ARRIVALS

Single and twin-engine propeller aircraft are encouraged to use LOU/Bowman Field Airport (5nm northeast) or JVY/Clark County Airport (11nm north), due to parking congestion at Louisville International Airport.

Other Airports within the Louisville ATCT Area: Radar service will be available to aircraft landing at airports outside of Louisville Class C Airspace, workload permitting. For IFR clearance/cancellation at airports without a clearance delivery frequency, contact Louisville ATCT at (502) 375-7499.

DEPARTURE PROCEDURES

LOUISVILLE MUHAMMAD ALI INTL – (SDF): IFR clearances will be delivered via PDC/CPDLC. If unable, contact clearance delivery on 126.1 for clearance.

DO NOT CALL GROUND CONTROL TO TAXI until you are the number one aircraft that can enter a taxiway from the ramp or parking area designated exit point.

DO NOT LEAVE RAMP / PARKING AREA until you have received taxi instructions and, if IFR, have received an IFR clearance.

DO NOT CALL THE TOWER FOR DEPARTURE

RAMP / PARKING areas are considered uncontrolled.

BOWMAN FIELD (LOU): All departing aircraft contact clearance delivery on 118.90. Ground control will be on 121.80. Advise if IFR or VFR.

DO NOT CALL GROUND CONTROL TO TAXI until you are the number one aircraft that can enter a taxiway from the ramp or parking area.

DO NOT LEAVE RAMP / PARKING AREA until you have received taxi instructions and, if IFR, have received an IFR clearance.

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

RAMP / PARKING areas are considered uncontrolled.

CLARK REGIONAL (JVY): All IFR departing aircraft should contact Louisville Clearance Delivery on 118.05 for IFR clearance and RADAR release. Prompt cancellation of IFR by arriving aircraft is necessary due to volume.

IFR Departures: IFR aircraft departing JVY can expect an eastbound or northbound heading due to the proximity to SDF. Obtain IFR clearance BEFORE taxi.

VFR Departures: Due to numerous heavy jet aircraft landing and departing SDF, immediate westbound departure from JVY is not recommended.

SDF IFR DEPARTURE ROUTES

If RNAV equipped, file the RNAV SID for the appropriate departure gate.

JVY/LOU IFR DEPARTURE ROUTES

If RNAV equipped, file the RNAV routing for the appropriate departure gate.

VFR DEPARTURE/AIRBORNE IFR PICKUP FROM JVY/LOU

VFR departures should not expect to obtain an IFR clearance or flight following within 50 miles of SDF.

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER INFORMATION

The FAA Air Traffic Control Tower at LOUISVILLE INTL – MUHAMMAD ALI (SDF) will operate during the following periods:

The FAA Air Traffic Control Tower at BOWMAN FIELD (LOU) will operate during the following periods:

ADDITIONAL PILOT INFORMATION

Wake Turbulence: Exercise caution when flying within 30 miles of Louisville due to numerous heavy jet aircraft operations and potentially significant wake turbulence.

Overflight Traffic: Aircraft not landing in the Louisville Area, avoid overflight below 14,000 feet MSL within 50 miles of Louisville International Airport.

Restricted Area Advisory: Restricted Area R3704A to the southwest of the Louisville (IIU) VORTAC is active daily 0600-0000 EDT (1100-0500 UTC); other times by NOTAM. R3704B is active only by NOTAM.

SDF Parking: For General Aviation parking at the FBO, contact Atlantic Aviation on 129.9 thirty minutes prior to arrival for parking instructions. For advanced reservations, contact Atlantic Aviation at (502) 368-1515, ext. 0. Long-term parking will be on airport taxiway A, and others as necessary.

Transponders on: All aircraft conduct ground operations with transponder in the “on” position.

***CAUTION***

Expect numerous helicopter, banner tow, and blimp operations near Churchill Downs Race Track, 2NM northwest of Louisville International Airport, Wednesday, April 30^th - Saturday, May 3^rd, 2025.

OBTAIN A COMPLETE WEATHER BRIEFING AND REVIEW ALL APPLICABLE NOTAMS PRIOR TO CONDUCTING FLIGHT

For further information contact:

FAA Indianapolis ARTCC

Traffic Management Unit

1850 S. Sigsbee Street

Indianapolis, IN 46241

317-247-2243