The Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR) for this SOP is the Los Angeles Center
Chief. This SOP was originally signed by Jeff Clark, ZLA chief, and
seconded by Dane Pennington, VATUSA Western Director on July 07, 2002.
Over time, controllers have found that defining standard procedures to be used by arriving and departing aircraft
provides for a more orderly traffic flow, and reduces the need for communication between SAN Ground, Tower and Approach.
a. Frequency:
SAN_TWR shall use 118.30 as its
normal frequency
b. Airspace:
SAN_TWR has been delegated
that portion of the San Diego Class B Surface Area that is within 6nm of the SAN
airport, and up to and including 3,500 feet MSL. This delegation does not include airspace
delegated to the Montgomery airport or Naval Air Station North Island which lies
outside the Class B surface area.
c. Special Instructions:
1. If gate holds are in effect, CD will advise aircraft of the estimated delay, and to contact GC for engine
start time. GC should not normally allow aircraft to start-up until 10 minutes prior to their release time.
2. IFR releases with SAN_APP shall be requested via the landline, specifying the aircraft ID and Departure
Procedure assigned to the aircraft. Releases, when granted, shall be valid for 3 minutes after being
granted. If an aircraft fails to commence takeoff roll within 3 minutes of the release time, TWR must request a new release for that
aircraft before clearing it for takeoff.
3. VFR aircraft who are requesting flight following from DEP shall be assigned a
squawk code and advised to contact SAN DEP after departure. J & M
class aircraft who are requesting flight following shall require coordination
for a VFR Release with DEP prior to clearing them for takeoff.
d. Runway configurations:
1. San Diego Lindbergh Field shall normally use
runway 27 for departures and arrivals unless the wind is out of the east at 10
knots or greater, at which time runway 9 shall be the active runway, regardless of visibility.
2. If the reported ceiling drops below 700' and/or
the visibility decreases below 2 statute miles, then San Diego shall use runway 9
for arrivals and departures.
3. If the reported ceiling drops below 300' and/or the visibility below 1 statute
mile, San Diego will use runway 9 for arrivals and runway 27 for departures.
During this situation, arrivals and departures will both occur west of the
field, and delays should be expected.
