Palm Springs Pilots Association

 JOIN US IN AN OPEN DISCUSSION MEETING TO

ENHANCE OUR AVIATION SAFETY

AND

ACCIDENT PREVENTION PROGRAMS

Nontowered airports—those not served by an operating air traffic control (ATC) tower—are much
more common than towered fields. In fact, nearly 20,000 airports in the United States are nontowered,
compared to approximately 500 that have towers. Millions of safe operations in all types of aircraft are
conducted at nontowered airports in a variety of weather conditions.

The process works because pilots put safety first and use recommended procedures.
A word about procedure: There are several sources of information that explain official FAA-recommended
procedures at nontowered airports. FAR 91.113 cites basic right-of-way rules, and FARs 91.126 and 91.127
establish traffic-flow rules at nontowered airports. The Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) and FAA
Advisory Circular 90-66A expand on the regulations. Together, these documents define procedures for
nontowered flight operations.

Right-of-way rules , along with nontowered airport traffic patterns and procedures, exist to prevent
collisions in the air and on the ground. There are other benefits to adhering to the rules, such as an
orderly traffic flow, noise abatement, and defusing potential right-of-way conflicts. However, traffic
separation is the prime concern. This Safety Advisor covers the “rules of the road” at nontowered airports.

ALL THIS AND PROBLEMS AT THERMAL'S COCHRAN AIRPORT

Go to the Thermal Self-Serve west side hangar gate just west of the Fire Station, call 760-285-3273 to have the gate opened.

Meeting starts at 6:00 pm on the bell and ends at 7:30pm

GO TO THERMAL SELF SERVE'S PILOT LOUNGE

BY THE  FUEL PUMPS