VFR Transition Route Program

VFR Transition Routes are developed to assist pilots transitioning terminal airspace and associated terminal airports. The VFR Transition Route Program encompasses arrival, departure, or transition procedures intended for VFR flight. Communication with ATC where the route transitions Class B, Class C, and/or Class D airspace is required. In addition to communication requirements, a clearance is required to operate in Class B airspace.

VFR Transition Routes are specific flight courses depicted on Terminal Area Charts (TACs) and/or VFR Flyway Planning Charts described by NAVAID and/or prominent visual landmarks for optional use by pilots to transition Class B, Class C, and/or Class D airspace. VFR Transition Routes may include specific altitudes for the route or altitudes to expect with ATC assignment of the route. VFR Transition Routes are intended to assist pilots in positioning aircraft in an optimal location for assignment or request of a specific route. VFR Transition Routes may also be used to provide arrival/departure instructions to/from secondary airports in complex terminal areas.

Pilot adherence to VFR Transition Route altitudes as published, or assigned ATC altitudes is expected. Per 14 CFR section 91.123, pilot compliance with the assigned route as charted or published is required unless otherwise assigned by ATC.

Routes:

Routes should avoid the flow of IFR traffic.

Routes must, to the maximum extent practicable, reference prominent landmarks that can be readily identified from the air in VMC.

The course must be described by magnetic compass headings and/or latitude/longitude. Radio aids to navigation and/or VFR checkpoint/waypoint references may be used as supplemental course guidance when feasible.

Altitudes: Each segment of a route must indicate the route altitude, route minimum/maximum altitudes, or the route altitude will be assigned by ATC.

Altitudes must be in accordance with VFR cruising altitudes to the maximum extent possible.

Altitudes must avoid areas of expected wake turbulence generated by large, heavy, or super aircraft.

Altitude changes should be based on climb/descent rate of 250-350 feet per nautical mile.

Altitudes beneath the floors of Class B and Class C airspace require careful evaluation to avoid compression of uncontrolled traffic.

Military Considerations: Avoid establishing routes which conflict with military ground control radar approach paths.

VFR Transition Route Development: The ATM is responsible for determining the need for VFR Transition Routes.

Initial Action: The requesting ATM must establish a task force of local air traffic, FSDO, military, and local aviation interests, as appropriate, to recommend where VFR Transition Routes should be located.

Justification: Recommendations for routes must include as a minimum:

Background information including composition of the task group.

Airspace areas, proposed routes, recommended altitudes, and other pertinent considerations.

The task force must develop descriptions of the routes, which must include as a minimum:

Route entry and exit points for transitioning Class B, Class C, and/or Class D airspace. Reference to geographical locations is preferred.

Arrival/departure airports, if applicable.

Any requirements for ATC to issue the route, e.g., time of day, ceiling requirements, visibility requirements, airport arrival/departure configuration.

Altitudes for each route segment and flight status: i.e., level, climbing, or descending.

Frequency needed to contact ATC where the route transitions Class B, Class C, and/or Class D airspace. In addition to communication requirements, a clearance is required to operate in Class B airspace.

References to geographical waypoints, NAVAID information, or VFR checkpoints/waypoints that comprise the route.

VFR Transition Route Approval and Publication: The ATM will send the proposed or revised VFR Transition Routes to the Service Area Director of Air Traffic Operations for approval. The approved VFR Transition Routes must be forwarded to the OSG for review and submission to Aeronautical Information Services (AIS) for publication.

Annual Review: The ATM is responsible for reviewing VFR Transition Routes on an annual basis.

VFR Transition Route Revisions: The ATM initiates revisions to VFR Transition Routes and should propose changes to the established task force for collaboration on chart revisions. The following are considered sufficient justification to warrant revision:

Changes, additions, or deletions to VFR Transition Routes or altitudes, frequencies, procedural notes, or changes to airport status (name, closed, abandoned, etc.).

Changes in large turbine‐powered aircraft arrival/departure routes and/or altitudes.

Changes to lateral or vertical confines of Class B, Class C, and/or Class D airspace the route transitions through.

Additions or deletions to VFR ground references, VFR checkpoints/waypoints, and/or NAVAIDs.

Publicity: The ATM must seek the cooperation of the FSDO in informing aviation interests about the VFR Transition Route Program. Special emphasis should be placed on:

VFR Transition Routes may include published altitudes or ATC‐assigned altitudes. Per 14 CFR section 91.123, pilot compliance is expected for all route and altitude restrictions as published or assigned by ATC.

Flyways are not devoid of IFR or other VFR aircraft operating within Class B, Class C, and/or Class D airspace the VFR Transition Route penetrates or the airport the route arrives to or departs from. VFR Transition Routes represent flight paths that are designed to be the most effective for VFR aircraft to enter/exit or transition terminal airspace.

Assignment of these routes is on a workload‐permitting basis of the controlling ATC facility and is considered an additional service to VFR aircraft.