JO 7210.3 Facility Operation and AdministrationJO 7210.3EE · Change 3 · Effective 7/9/2026
Chapter 4 · Section 1
General
6 Paragraphs4-1-1–4-1-6
4-1-1 CORRESPONDENCE STANDARDS
Prepare and issue facility correspondence in accordance with:
FAA Order 1360.16, FAA Correspondence Policy, which prescribes basic correspondence standards.
FAA Order 1320.1, FAA Directives System, which prescribes the procedures for issuing direction and work information.
4-1-2 SIGNATURE
Correspondence addressed to organizations, businesses, or individuals outside FAA must be signed “Air Traffic Manager, Kenai Flight Service Station,” “Air Traffic Manager, Washington Center,” or “Air Traffic Manager, Denver Tower.” The authorized contractions for the facility names may be used on correspondence addressed to any component of FAA; e.g., “Air Traffic Manager, Fort Worth FCFSS.”
4-1-3 SERVICE AREA REVIEW
Forward copies of facility correspondence concerning facility operating procedures to the Service Area office; e.g., letter to airmen normally sent to pilots, airline companies, military commands or bases, and fixed-base operators. This correspondence must be reviewed and approved at the discretion of the Service Area office prior to distribution. When information sent to users includes a change in operating procedures, facilities must establish an effective date for implementing these operating procedures at least 30 days after the date of distribution unless otherwise authorized by the Service Area office.
4-1-4 CORRESPONDENCE REGARDING POLICY/PROCEDURES
Air traffic managers may handle correspondence dealing with matters involving operating policy or procedures directly with other agencies or services. If the matter is not within the jurisdiction of the air traffic manager, acknowledge the correspondence and state that the answer will be prepared and forwarded by the Service Area office. Forward all pertinent background material to the Service Area office with recommendations for further handling.
4-1-5 IRREGULAR OPERATION
If information or correspondence is received from an aviation agency indicating an irregular operation (exclusive of policy items) by a facility, the air traffic manager must investigate and reply to the agency within 3 administrative work days of receipt. If the air traffic manager cannot investigate and prepare a reply within 3 days, or if the matter deals with policy items outside his/her purview, he/she must forward a letter of acknowledgment. Send copies of all correspondence, instructions issued to prevent recurrence, and any information on any disciplinary action taken to the service area office.
4-1-6 PRELIMINARY ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
In coordination with the relevant air traffic facility, and in accordance with airspace planning requirements, the Service Center's Air Traffic Environmental Protection Specialist (EPS) must conduct and document an environmental review of new or revised ATC procedures, or other air traffic actions subject to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review. Environmental review should be conducted in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, and FAA Order JO 7400.2, Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters, Chapter 32, Environmental Matters.
The Service Center EPS will determine whether the subject of the correspondence concerns air traffic procedures, either new or modified, or other air traffic actions that could potentially result in environmental impacts, as defined in FAA Order 1050.1, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures.
For correspondence documents (including Letters of Agreement [LOAs] as described in Section 3) regarding establishment of, or modifications to, air traffic actions, the proponent of the air traffic action may apply initial air traffic screening and modeling tools in accordance with FAA Order JO 7400.2, paragraphs 32-2-2, Environmental Review of Flight Procedures and Other Air Traffic Actions, and 32-3-3, Environmental Screening and Modeling Tools, to determine what level of environmental review is required for the air traffic action.