university of Notre Dame home football games

South Bend, Indiana

September 13, 2025 - November 22, 2025

SPECIAL AIR TRAFFIC PROCEDURES

Explanation of Changes. Table 1 has been updated to reflect the dates of home University of Notre Dame (ND) football games. In anticipation of many aircraft operating to and from the South Bend International Airport in conjunction with this event, the following procedures will be used to enhance safety, efficiency and minimize confusion.

Table 1: ND Home Football Schedule

SBN AIRPORT INFORMATION

South Bend International Airport (SBN), located in South Bend, Indiana is the premier airport to service all fans of sporting events within the region. The airport has 3 runways, with the main ILS RWY 9R/27L, offering an 8,412 ft. landing surface for aircraft. Two Fixed Based Operators (FBOs) are located on-site for aircraft services during events, Atlantic Aviation and Signature Aviation. Both FBOs can be reached on their UNICOM frequencies before landing at South Bend. The FBOs are located North of TWY Alpha on the airfield and have follow-me trucks standing by for guidance during special events.

FLIGHT PLANNING

1. Be alert for a higher-than-normal number of aircraft operating in the vicinity of the South Bend International Airport. Expect various aircraft types, including flyover, banner tow, television, and law enforcement aircraft.
2. 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.
3. Practice approaches, touch-and-go operations and training flights may be directed to remain clear of the area.
4. Pilots should file flight plans with a proposed departure time (P-Time) one hour prior to the intended time of departure to allow SBN ATCT to plan airport movement and ensure flight plan info is available when clearance is requested.
5. SBN ATCT will ensure flight plans do not expire until four hours after the filed P-Time.
6. CTAF Operations are in effect when ATCT is closed.
7. In 2024, Taxiway A4 was permanently closed and removed as well as other various diagram changes.

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

Traffic Management Initiatives may be required during peak traffic periods or during periods of reduced airport capacity. Pilots should be prepared for specific departure fixes added to their original flight plan for airborne miles-in-trail. Possibly expect an altitude restriction, holding, ground delay or ground stop. Plan to arrive early, if possible, to avoid delays, airspace congestion and limited parking.

SBN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL AND APPROACH TOWER

The control tower and approach control (SBN ATCT) will operate Sunday – Friday 5:30am – Midnight and 5:30 am – 11:45 pm on Saturdays, unless otherwise advised by NOTAM.

Table 2: SBN Air Traffic Frequencies

DEPARTURE Taxi PROCEDURES

ATIS ADVISING RWY 27L or RWY 36

1. Receive Clearance on 121.9, no earlier than 30 minutes prior to departure.
2. If parked within the FBO Parking Area (See MAP A):
   1. (PRIOR TO CALLING GROUND CONTROL) Proceed east (holding short of TWY A-2) and look for the sign that says 1. This is called “SPOT 1” – Call GC 121.7 at SPOT 1 with the current ATIS for taxi instructions.

Please proceed at your discretion to SPOT 1 as this is a NON-MOVEMENT AREA, not controlled by ATC.

3. If parked within T-Hangar Parking Area (See MAP A):

1. (PRIOR TO CALLING GROUND CONTROL) Proceed west (holding short of TWY N) and look for the sign that says 3. This is called “SPOT 3” – Call GC 121.7 at SPOT 3 with the current ATIS for taxi instructions.

Please proceed at your discretion to SPOT 3 as this is a NON-MOVEMENT AREA, not controlled by ATC.

MAP A:

* SPOT 2 is not used with this runway configuration

ATIS ADVISING RWY 9R or RWY 18

1. Receive Clearance on 121.9, no earlier than 30 minutes prior to departure.
2. If parked within the FBO Parking Area (See MAP B):
   1. (PRIOR TO CALLING GROUND CONTROL) Proceed west (holding short of TWY N) and look for the sign that says 2. This is called “SPOT 2” – Call GC 121.7 at SPOT 2 with the current ATIS for taxi instructions.

Please proceed at your discretion to SPOT 2 as this is a NON-MOVEMENT AREA, not controlled by ATC.

1. If parked within T-Hangar Parking Area (See MAP B):
   1. (PRIOR TO CALLING GROUND CONTROL) Proceed west (holding short of TWY N) and look for the sign that says 3. This is called “SPOT 3” – Call GC 121.7 at SPOT 3 with the current ATIS for taxi instructions.

Please proceed at your discretion to SPOT 3 as this is a NON-MOVEMENT AREA, not controlled by ATC.

MAP B:

* SPOT 1 is not used with this runway configuration

Departure Notes: DO NOT CALL THE TOWER FOR DEPARTURE UNTIL YOU ARE NUMBER ONE AT THE RUNWAY.

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

IFR FLIGHT PLANS

To streamline our departure procedures, we are implementing automated departure fixes dependent on your first fix in your flight plan. These fixes will apply to all IFR aircraft clearances with a requested altitude above 10,000’.

Expect one of these DEPARTURE Fixes as your 1^st fix:

PEEPS, BAGEL

LEROY, GOTNE

HOSSA, CADIZ

* All jet aircraft expect to maintain 250kts unless authorized by ATC.

Expect these ARRIVAL Fixes dependent on what direction you are coming from:

ELX/LOGGR – North/Northwest/Northeast/East

MAPPS OXI – Southwest/South/West

DAIFE – South/Southeast/East

OVERFLOW PARKING PROCEUDURES

OVERFLOW ARRIVAL PARKING PROCEDURES

1. When normal game day aircraft parking is full, RWY 18/36 and RWY 27R/9L will be designated for game day traffic parking.
2. Upon arrival, take TWY A to TWY N and contact your FBO for further instructions north of TWY A.
3. Expect to proceed to TWY N northbound to where an FBO ‘Follow Me’ vehicle will meet you.
4. For aircraft expecting to drop off passengers and depart right away expect to park short term at FBO of choice depending on spot availability.
5. RWY 18/36 North of TWY A will remain a south flow during overflow procedures.

OVERFLOW DEPARTURE PARKING PROCEDURES FOR RWY 27L

1. Proceed at your own risk south on RWY 18/36 and turn left on TWY A. Proceed to SPOT 1 and call Ground Control for taxi instructions.

OVERFLOW DEPARTURE PARKING PROCEDURES FOR RWY 9R

1. Proceed at your own risk south on RWY 18/36 and call Ground Control holding short of TWY A.