UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA FOOTBALL

TUSCALOOSA, AL

September 6 - November 22, 2025

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 National 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.

Check the local NOTAM on gameday to confirm if Runway 12/30 and taxiways C/D are closed for parking. For lower-traffic games, these areas may remain open as movement areas if not needed for overflow parking. See below for movement and non-movement area procedures.

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: If RWY 12/30 is open VFR departures may be assigned an alternate departure runway by Ground Control.

TAXI PROCEDURES

MOVEMENT AREA PROCEDURES (RWY 12/30 ACTIVE)

Bama Dixie: Proceed via Taxiway D3 and hold short at Taxiway D. When number one at Taxiway D, contact Ground Control (121.8), for further instructions.

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

University Ramp: Proceed via Taxiway C2 and hold short at Taxiway C. When number one at Taxiway C, contact Ground Control (121.8) for further instructions.

Terminal Ramp: Proceed via Taxiway G or A2 and hold short at Taxiway A, contact Ground Control (121.8) for further instructions.

NON-MOVEMENT AREA PROCEDURES (RWY 12/30) CLOSED

Bama Dixie: Proceed via Taxiway D3 cross RWY 12/30 continue Taxiway C and hold short Taxiway A. When number one at Taxiway A, contact Ground Control (121.8) for further instructions.

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

West Overflow Ramp, University Ramp: Proceed via Taxiway C and hold short Taxiway A. When number one at Taxiway A, contact Ground Control (121.8) for further instructions.

Terminal Ramp: Proceed via Taxiway G and hold short 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 National AIRPORT (TCL)

Overflow parking is available on FBO Ramps, West Apron and Runway 12/30 when closed by NOTAM.

Airport operates on first come first served basis during designated special events; No reservations accepted or recognized by Airport or ATC.

Terminal Ramp restricted to Drop-Off, Team Charters, or Aircraft Pre-Approved by Airport Management.

When RWY 12/30 are closed via local NOTAM, Taxiway C and Taxiway D are considered non-movement areas.

When Overflow Parking or Runway 12/30 are active, a Drop-and-GO AREA will be activated on the terminal ramp between Taxiway A2 and Taxiway G at the discretion of Airport Management.

Aircraft requesting Drop-and-Go must advise ATC, approval subject to traffic, weather and controller workload.

RWY 12/30 may be used for aircraft parking when closed by local NOTAM: Use chocks only, do not set parking brakes.

Aircraft parked on Runway 12/30 must depart or relocate their aircraft within 12 hours of arrival.

Temporary parking may be required during high traffic periods unless advised otherwise by ATC.

Non-Approved aircraft on the Terminal Ramp are not eligible for fuel service and will receive the lowest priority for departure.

The Airport’s main terminal is designated the passenger Pick-up/Drop-off location for aircraft not parked at either FBO.

Passengers must remain with the aircraft until the shuttle arrives.

Dedicated shuttles will transport passengers between terminal and aircraft not parked at either FBO.

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 request must be coordinated with the FBO(s). Requests will be considered based on the 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)