Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ)

The airspace at SRQ is Class C with a 4000’ MSL Ceiling.  To the north, SRQ airspace lies directly adjacent to TPA Class B airspace and underlies the TPA 30 NM MODE C & ADS-B Out veil. (Refer to Sectional Chart)

Class C Airspace Requirements (CFR §91.130 and AIM 3-1-4; 3-2-4)

Class B Airspace Requirements (CFR §91.131 and AIM 3-1-4; 3-2-3)

Hot Spots 
      HS 1   Be alert to multiple TWY and RWY crossing points surrounding the
                 intersection of RWY 14/32 and RWY 04/22.

Departure

• Verify proper heading prior to starting takeoff roll on all departures.
• When TWR is closed, hold at ILS hold position signs abeam RWY 14 and RWY 32 

Landing

• Wrong surface landing risk exists due to adjacent parallel TWYS immediately next to and running full length of RWYs.
• Land and Hold-Short Operations (LAHSO) RWY 14.

Surface Risk – Movement Area

• Terminal Ramp is uncontrolled.

Additional Cautions

• If ever in doubt about your position or your instructions, ask the TWR.
• RWY 14 threshold displaced.
• RWY 32 threshold displaced.
• Strict noise abatement procedures in effect for departing jet aircraft.
   

SRQ TWR operates from 0600L-2400L.

When TWR is closed:

• The airspace becomes Class G and is serviced by Tampa Approach Control.
• Use CTAF 120.1
• Clearance Delivery. Contact Tampa Approach on 119.65.
• Closing Flight Plan. Contact Tampa Approach on 119.65.
• Use CTAF to control Runway lighting when TWR is closed.

General

• SRQ is the home of three different flight schools, and we ask that pilots be aware of our student pilots and try to be vigilant while we have training in the airspace. 
• We also ask that, if able, practice approaches and tower pattern work be accomplished early in the morning or later in the evening. SRQ becomes very busy with jet traffic between the hours of 1000L-1600L, making it very difficult to accommodate practice approaches and tower pattern work. 
• Please be aware of ongoing construction at SRQ that is resulting in current taxiway closures and will result in the renaming of multiple taxiways in the future.

Traffic Patterns

• Tower pattern work will normally be put on either 04/22 and will be given a closed pattern, with downwind legs over the approach end numbers of the main runway 14/32.

Ground

• Terminal Ramp is uncontrolled.
  • Do not call for push/power-back.
  • Advise Ground Control when ready for taxi.

Take-off/Departure

• Follow current published departure procedures.
• Do not turn prior to departure end of RWY.

Arrival/Landing 

• VFR aircraft can expect to contact Tampa Approach Control for sequencing into SRQ.

Special Traffic (Military / Commercial / Helicopter / etc.) 

• Every third Saturday of the month, the Young Eagles program flies out of SRQ and does tours along the coast.  We can have up to 12-15 aircraft on any given Young Eagles Saturday.  We ask pilots to be aware and try to keep practice approaches or tower pattern work to a minimum on these Saturdays.

• Touch and Go Landings and multiple approaches prohibited 0500Z-1100Z.
• When tower is closed, hold at ILS Hold Position signs abeam RWY 14 and RWY 32 thresholds during all weather conditions.
   

Do: 

• Refer to the airfield diagram and/or airport moving map while stopped and/or prior to taxiing.
• Keep your eyes outside to observe traffic, potential threats and airport signs and markings.
• Ask the controller to repeat instructions and clearances if you are not sure.
• Ask for progressive taxi instructions if you are unfamiliar or have lost situational awareness.
• Taxi your aircraft to the side of the run-up area to allow other aircraft to taxi around you if you are not ready for departure. 
• Advise TWR on initial contact (ground or air) if you are a student pilot. 
• Using runway and/or taxiway designators to describe your position, and turning on exterior lights will assist the controller in identifying you.
• Acknowledge all ATC instructions and read back all hold short restrictions with your call sign. 
• Always make sure that your aircraft is completely behind all hold- short lines.
• Advise GND/TWR if you want an intersection departure and wait for TWR clearance to take off.  There may be a delay due to wake turbulence or traffic. 
• When using any RWY, verify mag heading and look for the white markings to avoid a wrong surface event.
• Consider backing up a visual approach with an underlying instrument (ILS/LOC/GPS) approach if time and workload allows.
• Remember that you must have a clearance to cross all RWYs, active and not active.
• Reference GPS User Waypoint, or if available, the assigned runway’s instrument approach. If unsure that you are aligned for the assigned runway, announce going around and why.
• Verify proper heading prior to starting takeoff roll on all departures. Consider checking and calling out, Wet compass, runway heading, runway paint/signage for departure runway, and directional gyro shows runway heading.
• Use caution when taxiing smaller aircraft/helicopters in the vicinity of larger aircraft/helicopters. Controllers may use the words rotor wash, jet blast, or prop wash when issuing cautionary advisories. A general rule of thumb is 100 feet behind a jet aircraft.

Do Not:

• Do not taxi on your own without obtaining taxi instructions from ATC.
• Do not cross an active RWY without specific controller permission to cross that RWY. 
• Do not use a RWY as a turn-off during landing unless cleared to do so by TWR. 
• Do not wait until you are ready for departure to request an IFR clearance. Making your request to clearance delivery or ground control prior to taxiing will allow time for ATC coordination. 
• Do not, on departure, leave TWR frequency while still in TWR airspace unless previously approved. (Note: frequency change outside of TWR airspace is at pilot’s discretion.)

Additional information in the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) Chapter 6 - Section 4

• Squawk Transponder Code 7600 if you experience loss of two-way radio capability.
• If you can hear other aircraft but nobody responds to your calls then you should check for proper frequency selection, popped circuit breaker, radio panel setup, or an improperly hooked up intercom.
• Weak batteries in intercoms are often the cause of “radio failure”. Your emergency checklist may come in handy for checking other areas specific to your aircraft.
• If you can’t hear anything on the receiver, check the volume control, squelch, intercom, circuit breaker, or a stuck mike. 
• After you have determined the extent of the radio failure, you can determine how to communicate with the ATC.

• FAR 91.123 (d) states: Each pilot in command who (though not deviating from a rule of this subpart) is given priority by ATC in an emergency and shall submit a detailed report of that emergency within 48 hours to the manager of that ATC facility, if requested by ATC.
• It is extremely rare that a pilot is asked to justify declaring an emergency. In most cases, when a report is needed, it can usually be accomplished with a phone call.
• Additional information is also found in the AIM in Chapter 6 – Emergency Procedures

• Special VFR is primarily intended to offer pilots a way to operate into, out of, and through tower controlled airspace when local weather restricts the visibility or ceiling to below VFR minimums.
• There are times, for instance, when visibility is below three miles due to ground fog or the ceiling is below 1000 feet AGL due to a cold front passage, it may be advantageous to use the Special VFR rules to be able to get to VFR conditions.
• There are rules and conditions that apply to Special VFR and the one that controllers deal with the most often is the requirement that the pilot must request the clearance. We cannot offer it, as we cannot determine your abilities as a pilot and have no wish to talk you into accepting a clearance that may be beyond your experience level.

The basic requirements for Special VFR are:

• The clearance must be requested by the pilot.
• If it is after sunset and before sunrise the pilot requesting the clearance must be IFR rated and the aircraft must be certified for IFR flight.
• A minimum of 1 mile visibility must exist as reported by the tower.

What you may do with a Special VFR clearance:

• You may depart for another destination
• You may transition
• You may enter and land
• You may do touch and go landings