¶ Standard Operating Procedures
Located in the Washington, D.C., area, the Potomac Consolidated Terminal Radar Approach Control (PCT) is a combination of four TRACON facilities serving four major airports in the area. Dulles (IAD), Washington National (DCA) Baltimore (BWI), and Richmond (RIC). The TRACON is subdivided into the following areas: Shenandoah, Mount Vernon, Chesapeake, and James River.
| Identifier | Position Name | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPCT_APP | Potomac Approach | 119.850 | Combined |
| KDCA_APP | Potomac Approach | 118.950 | MTV |
| KIAD_APP | Potomac Approach | 125.050 | SHD |
| KBWI_APP | Potomac Approach | 128.700 | CHP |
| KRIC_APP | Potomac Approach | 126.750 | JRV |
¶ Combined
Mount Vernon (MTV) covers Washington National and certain other minor airports in the area.
KDCA - Washington National
DCA has stringent noise restrictions, however security is the number one priority. The areas around the National Mall and US Naval Observatory are prohibited airspace with a ceiling of 18,000ft. This means aircraft departing to the North must climb quickly and turn left sharply.
KDCA - Departures
IFR aircraft should fly any of the available RNAV departures, NATNL# SID shall only be used for radar-vectored departures.
| DIRECTION | SID | ALTITUDE | CLIMB |
|---|---|---|---|
| NORTH | HORTO# | 5000 | Climb via SID |
| EAST | DOCTR#, REBLL#, SOOKI# | 5000 | Climb via SID |
| SOUTH | AMEE# | 5000 | Climb via SID |
| WEST | WYNGS# | 5000 | Climb via SID |
| SOUTHWEST | CLTCH#, JDUBB#, SCRAM# | 5000 | Climb via SID |
| VECTOR | NATNL# | By ATC | Climb and Maintain |
KDCA - Arrivals
DCA has 9 Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STARs).
Pilots on any RNAV STAR should be cleared to “descend via the [STAR] arrival as published”.
- CAPSS# RNAV
- CLIPR# RNAV
- DEALE# RNAV
- FRDMM# RNAV
- IRONS#
- NUMMY#
- SKILS# RNAV
- TIKEE# RNAV
- TRUPS# RNAV
Area of Jurisdiction
Handoffs
The Shenandoah (SHD) area is part of the Potomac (PCT) which mainly covers KIAD, KFDK, and KHEF.
KIAD - Departures
Dulles has 10 Standard Instrument Departures (RNAV). The only departure that is not assigned automatically is the Capital One (CPTAL1) departure (Radar Vectors only).
| DIRECTION | SID | ALTITUDE | CLIMB |
|---|---|---|---|
| NORTH | JERES#, MCRAY# | 3000 | Climb via SID |
| EAST | WOOLY# | 3000 | Climb via SID |
| WEST | BUNZZ#, RNLDI# | 3000 | Climb via SID |
| SOUTHWEST | CLTCH#, JDUBB#, SCRAM# | 3000 | Climb via SID |
| EAST/SOUTH | JCOBY# | 3000 | Climb via SID |
| VECTOR | CPTAL# | By ATC | Climb and Maintain |
KIAD - Arrivals
KIAD has 11 Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STARs) into Dulles.
Pilots on any RNAV STAR should be cleared to “descend via the [STAR] arrival as published”.
- CAVLR# RNAV
- COATT#
- DELRO#
- DOCCS#
- GIBBZ# RNAV
- HYPER# RNAV
- PRIVO#
- PRTZL# RNAV
- SEG#
- WAYNZ# RNAV
- WIGOL# RNAV
Area of Jurisdiction
Handoffs
James River (JRV) covers Richmond and other minor airports in the area.
KRIC - Departures
Assign all 10000 as the initial climb.
Climb aircraft up to 12000, then handoff to ZDC CTR at 10000.
| DIRECTION | SID | ALTITUDE | CLIMB |
|---|---|---|---|
| NORTHEAST | COLIN# | 5000 | Climb and Maintain |
| WEST | KALLI# | 5000 | Climb via SID |
| NORTHEAST | LUCYL# | 5000 | Climb via SID |
| WEST | READE# | 5000 | Climb and Maintain |
KRIC - Arrivals
Coordinate with ZDC for descending instructions.
ZDC should hand off before reaching 12000.
- DUCX# RNAV
- POWTN# RNAV
- SPIDR# RNAV
Area of Jurisdiction
Chesapeake (CHP) covers Baltimore and other minor airports in the area.
KBWI - Departures
| SID | TYPE | ALTITUDE | CLIMB |
|---|---|---|---|
| CONLE# | RNAV | 14000 | Climb via SID |
| DUKPN# | RNAV | 14000 | Climb via SID |
| FIXET# | RNAV | 14000 | Climb via SID |
| FOXHL# | RNAV | 17000 | Climb via SID |
| LINSE# | RNAV | 16000 | Climb via SID |
| TERPS# | RNAV | 17000 | Climb via SID |
KBWI - Arrivals
BWI has 6 Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STARs).
Pilots on any RNAV STAR should be cleared to “descend via the [STAR] arrival as published”.
- ANTHM# RNAV
- MIIDY# RNAV
- RAVNN# RNAV
- TRISH# RNAV
- EMI# (Westminster)
Handoffs
Area of Jurisdiction
The areas around the National Mall and US Naval Observatory are both prohibited airspace with a ceiling of 18,000ft. See FAA Order JO 7400.8Z
P-56A, P-56B
- P-56A is the airspace that seeks to protect the National Mall and various other monuments in Washington D.C.
- P-56B is a circle of 0.5nm radius around the U.S. Naval Observatory.
- Designated altitudes. Surface to 18,000 feet MSL. Time of designation. Continuous. Using agency. United States Secret Service, Washington, DC.