KENTUCKY DERBY

LOUISVILLE, KY

April 29-May 3, 2026

SPECIAL AIR TRAFFIC PROCEDURES

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

*NOTE: NEW JVY Temporary ATCT, April 29-May 3. Operating times/frequencies below.

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, and other potential delays.

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

FLIGHT PLANS

Indy Center and Louisville ATCT may not accept air-filed flight plans to or from the Louisville area between April 29^th and May 3^rd, 2026, except in emergencies. Airborne-filed flight plans with other facilities may experience delays.

ATIS

MONITOR ATIS prior to initial contact with Louisville Approach Control.

SDF – 118.725 MHz

LOU – 124.15 MHz

PREFERRED IFR ARRIVAL ROUTES

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

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.

***CAUTION***

Expect numerous helicopters, banner tow, and blimp operations near Churchill Downs Racetrack, 2NM northwest of Louisville International Airport, Wednesday, April 29^th - Saturday, May 2^nd, 2026.

VFR ARRIVALS

***CLASS C SERVICE IS MANDATORY***

DEPARTURE PROCEDURES

LOUISVILLE MUHAMMAD ALI INTL – (SDF): If RNAV equipped, file the RNAV SID for the appropriate departure gate. 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. VFR departures should not expect to obtain an IFR clearance or flight following within 50 miles of SDF.

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. During hours of operation below, BEFORE TAXI, ALL departing aircraft (VFR AND IFR) must contact CLARK REGL ATCT GROUND CONTROL on 121.75*. Advise if IFR or VFR on initial contact.

* Check NOTAMS to verify ATCT operating times/frequency.

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

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

The FAA Air Traffic Control Tower at BOWMAN FIELD (KLOU) will operate:

NEW: A Temporary Air Traffic Control Tower at CLARK REGIONAL (KJVY) will operate:

CLARK TOWER: Frequency: 132.4* CLARK GROUND: Frequency: 121.75*

* Check NOTAMS to verify operating times/frequencies.

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 R-3704A to the southwest of the Louisville (IIU) VORTAC is active daily 0600-0000 EDT (1100-0500 UTC); other times by NOTAM. R-3704B 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.

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