¶ Standard Operating Procedures
¶ Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Located just six miles from Downtown Charlotte, Charlotte Douglas International Airport is the primary airport for the Charlotte metropolitan region. In 2021, Charlotte was the sixth busiest airport in the United States, and serves as a major hub for American Airlines.
¶ Airlines
Charlotte Douglas is a hub for American Airlines, formerly serving as a hub for US Airways. Charlotte hosts 12 airlines at 115 gates. CLT also hosts the North Carolina Air National Guard.
| Airline | Hub/Focus | Destinations |
|---|---|---|
| Air Canada | 1 | |
| American Airlines | Hub | 140+ |
| Contour Airlines | 6 | |
| Delta Airlines | 7 | |
| Frontier Airlines | 14 | |
| Jet Blue | 1 | |
| Lufthansa | 1 | |
| Southwest Airline | 7 | |
| Spirit Airlines | 12 | |
| Sun Country Airlines | 1 | |
| United Airlines | 4 | |
| Volaris | 1 |
¶ Cargo
Charlotte Douglas also serves cargo operations from Amazon Air, FedEx Express, UPS Airlines.
Charlotte Delivery Control Positions
| Position | Frequency | FRA |
|---|---|---|
| KCLT_DEL | 127.150 MHz |  |
¶ IFR
| SID | SID Type | Pronounciation | Aircraft | Runways | Initial Climb | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BARMY# | Hybrid | Barmey | Jet | All | 8000 | |
| BEAVY# | Hybrid | Beevy | Jet | All | 8000 | |
| BOBZY# | Hybrid | Bobzee | Jet | All | 8000 | |
| CLT# | VECTORS | Charlotte | Jet | All | 8000 | Cruise at or below 10,000’ only. |
| ESTRR# | Hybrid | Esther | Jet | All | 8000 | |
| ICONS# | Hybrid | Icons | Jet | All | 8000 | |
| JOJJO# | Hybrid | Joe-Joe | Jet | All | 8000 | |
| KERMIT# | VECTORS | Kermit | Jet | All | 8000 | Cruise at or above 11,000’ only. |
| KILNS# | Hybrid | Kilns | Jet | All | 8000 | |
| KNIGHTS# | VECTORS | Knights | Prop | All | 4000 | |
| KRITR# | Hybrid | Critter | Jet | All | 8000 | |
| KWEEN# | Hybrid | Queen | Jet | All | 8000 | |
| LILLS# | Hybrid | Lills | Jet | All | 8000 | |
| WEAZL# | Hybrid | Weasel | Jet | All | 8000 |
Hybrid = Vectors + RNAV
- All aircraft shall fly RNAV departures if possible.
- All aircracft should fly runway heading and expect radar vectors at 1,260’ to their first departure fix.
- Jet aircraft requesting below 10,000 feet for a final altitude must be on the CHARLOTTE# departure procedure.
¶ IFR Clearance (RNAV)
IFR (RNAV) Example:
Cleared to Atlanta Intl Airport via the ESTRR# departure, GANTS transition, then as filed. Maintain 8000, Expect FL350 10 minutes after departure. Departure frequency 122.8, squawk 2001.
¶ IFR Clearance (Radar Vectors)
If no RNAV departure is useable you can use Charlotte SID, Kermit SID, or Knights SID, and instruct aircraft to expect radar vectors to first fix.
Example:
Cleared to Atlanta Intl airport via the KERMIT departure, radar vectors HAMLN, then as filed. Maintain 8000, expect FL350 10 minutes after departure. Departure frequency 122.8, squawk 1234.
¶ IFR Squawk codes
via Aurora or 2001-2777
¶ Pre-Departure Clearance
PDC via CPDLC is available at this airport.
¶ VFR
Charlotte Douglas International Airport is surrounded by class B airspace. Aircraft entering class B airspace VFR require a clearance in accordance with 7110.65 Chapter 7, section 9-2.
VFR Deaprture Example:
Cleared out of the Charlotte class bravo airspace, maintain VFR at or below 2500 until further advised. Departure frequency 122.8. Squawk 1201.
VFR Local Pattern Example:
Cleared into the Charlotte class bravo airspace, pattern altitude 1800, expect left closed traffic runway 18L, squawk 1201.
Charlotte Delivery Control Positions
| Position | Frequency | FRA |
|---|---|---|
| KCLT_GND | 121.800 MHz | |
Ground is responsible for all movement areas.
Air cargo is located in the center of the field at taxiways A5 and A6.
Arriving GA traffic and private jets shall be routed to park at the general aviation ramp located at D4 and D5, south of the Air National Guard (ANG) ramp.
¶ Runway Crossings
When requesting a runway crossing from TWR, specify the runway and the point at which crossing will occur, using the format of “Cross (rwy) at (intersection)?”. Callsign is not required.
TWR’s approval is only valid for one aircraft to cross as specified.
Note: Runways 5/23 are closed and may be used for taxi.
¶ Transponder
Charlotte Douglas International Airport is facilitated with ASDE–X (Ground Radar). Pilots are required to operate transponders on mode ‘active’.
Charlotte Delivery Control Positions
| Position | Frequency | FRA |
|---|---|---|
| KCLT_TWR | 118.100 MHz |  |
¶ Airspace
Charlotte Douglas International Airport airport is surrounded by class B airspace. Aircraft operating in class B airspace receive services as outlined in 7110.65 Chapter 7, section 9.
¶ Area of Responsibility
- TWR owns airspace from the surface up to and including 2,000 feet MSL (7NM around KCLT airport)
¶ Area of Responsibility
- TWR owns airspace from the surface up to and including 2,000 feet MSL (7NM around KCLT airport)
North Ops
South Ops
¶ Runway configuration
North Ops:
DEPARTURES: 36C, 36R
ARRIVALS: 36L, 36R
South Ops:
DEPARTURES: 18L, 18C
ARRIVALS: 18L, 18R
NOTE: Runways 5/23 are closed and may be used for taxi.
¶ Noise Abatement Tracks
The following heading should be assigned on takeoff at all times.
| RUNWAY | HEADING |
|---|---|
| 18L/C | Runway Heading |
| 18R | 200° |
| 36R | 025° |
| 36C | 330° |
| 36L | 315° |
Example Takeoff Clearance
“Delta 124, fly heading 025, wind calm, runway 36 right cleared for takeoff.”
¶ Simultaneous Departures
Simultaneous Departures are authorized for runways 18L/36R and 18C/36C.
Aircraft departing simultaneous must fly divergent courses.
Example:
- Aircraft departing east sent to runway 36R, aircraft departing west sent to runway 36C
- ATIS remarks should read "Simultaneous departures in use.
¶ Missed Approaches and Go-Arounds
Aircraft should be advised to climb and maintain 4000’, fly runway heading, and handed off to the approach or center controller if available.
¶ VFR transitions
Aircraft should be advised to climb and maintain 4000’, fly runway heading, and handed off to the approach or center controller if available.
¶ VFR transitions
VFR aircraft shall transition over KCLT midfield eastbound or westbound at 4500ft MSL.These aircraft will be under Air Traffic Control of the overlying facility (APP or CTR)
Charlotte Delivery Control Positions
| Position | Frequency | FRA |
|---|---|---|
| KCLT_APP | 120.050 MHz | |
¶ Area of Responsibility
¶ Arrivals Overview
¶ Arrival Flows
North Ops
South Ops
¶ APP
Charlotte APP also serves the Concord-Padgett Regional Airport (KJQF). Runway assignments will be instructed on initial contact. Standard ATIS settings listed below. Note the exception if using simultaneous depatures for runways 18L/36R and 18C/36C.
TMA ATIS: ☑️
METAR Station: (Empty)
Landing: (Empty)
Departing: (Empty)
Transition Level: ☑️ 180
Transition Altitude: ☑️ 18000
Remarks: (Empty)
¶ DEL/GND/TWR
METAR Station: KCLT
ARRIVAL: 18L 18R or 36L 36R
DEPARTURE: 36C 36R or 18L 18C
Transition Level: ☑️ 180
Transition Altitude: ☑️ 18000
Remarks: RWYs 5, 23 CLOSED. TRANSPONDERS REQUIRED TO BE ON WHILE OPERATING ON RWYS AND TWYS. ALL AIRCRAFT READ BACK ALL RUNWAY HOLD SHORT INSTRUCTIONS WITH CALLSIGN. FILING OF SID AND STAR REQUIRED.