Travis AFB Sustainability Study Report Final Background Report | Page 153
Communication / Coordination (COM)
Without an airport traffic control tower at Nut Tree Airport, pilots
communicate with RAPCON to coordinate take‐off. However, because of
the topography of the area, radio communication cannot be established
before take‐off. Users at Nut Tree Airport usually do not need to notify
Travis AFB RAPCON that they are taking off unless there is inclement
weather that may impair a pilot’s visual ability to see other aircraft. Pilots at
Nut Tree Airport typically use their cell phones to call the tower to
coordinate take‐off. There is no formal communication process in place, so
if a pilot is not aware of the blocked signal and the procedure to call
RAPCON, a departure could occur without coordination. This lack of
procedure can create safety issues if Travis AFB is not aware of planes taking
off at Nut Tree Airport. Travis AFB stated that there have been no issues to
date of aircraft from Nut Tree Airport interfering with aircraft traffic at
Travis AFB or vice versa.
This discussion refers to the programs and plans that promote interagency
coordination. Interagency communication serves the general welfare by
promoting a more comprehensive planning process inclusive of all affected
stakeholders. Interagency coordination also seeks to develop and include
mutually beneficial policies for both communities and the military in local
planning documents, such as general plans.
Key Terms
Land Mobile Radio System. Land mobile radio system, also called public
land mobile radio or private land mobile radio, is a wireless communications
system intended for use by users in vehicles or on foot.
Cannot hear radio communication from Nut Tree
Airport
ISSUE
COM‐1
Findings
Air Traffic Control Tower at Travis AFB cannot receive
radio communications from pilots at Nut Tree Airport
because of a hill between the two facilities that
interferes with the communication frequency.
Compatibility Assessment
Nut Tree Airport in Vacaville is surrounded by Class E Airspace (see
Section 5.13 Land / Air / Sea Space Competition for more information),
which requires Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) flights to be able to
communicate with air traffic control before takeoff. The airspace is serviced
by Travis Radar Approach Control (RAPCON) located at Travis AFB.
Travis RAPCON uses radar to monitor and guide aircraft within the
1,800 square miles it is responsible for controlling.
TSS Background Report
Blocked radio communication from Nut Tree Airport can prevent
aircraft from coordinating with RAPCON. This lack of communication
can create safety issues if there is no knowledge of other aircraft
operating in the area.
Users at Nut Tree Airport usually do not need to notify Travis AFB
RAPCON that they are taking off unless there is inclement weather.
Pilots typically use cell phones to contact RAPCON, but there is not a
formal process for alerting pilots to coordinate with the Travis AFB
RAPCON.
Travis AFB stated that there have been no issues to date of aircraft
from Nut Tree Airport interfering with aircraft traffic at Travis AFB or
vice versa.
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