I'm confused. KPSP Delta or Charlie?

[bruce]

Ok, being confused is not a new experience for me. Something to do with age?

In the PE coverage map KPSP is shown as a yellow dot (Charlie) but studying the chart (I have few pleasures in life) it is clearly a Delta, within a TRSA (?), within an Echo.

Has there been a change?

[Anthony Santanastaso]

KPSP is a TRSA - Terminal Radar Service Area. Basically, TRSA's are like Class C airports in that similar radar service IS provided to IFR aircraft and MAY BE provided to participating VFR aircraft. As explained below, the primary airport (in this case Palm Springs) within the TRSA becomes Class D airspace. In other words, if you choose not to participate in the radar service, you operate as if it were a Class D airport.

According to the Aeronautical Information Manual:

a. Background. TRSAs were originally established as part of the Terminal Radar Program at selected airports. TRSAs were never controlled airspace from a regulatory standpoint because the establishment of TRSAs was never ubject to the rulemaking process; consequently, TRSAs are not contained in 14 CFR Part 71 nor are there any TRSA operating rules in 14 CFR Part 91. Part of the Airport Radar Service Area (ARSA) program was to eventually replace all TRSAs. However, the ARSA requirements became relatively stringent and it was subsequently decided that TRSAs would have to meet ARSA criteria before they would be converted. TRSAs do not it into any of the U.S. airspace classes; therefore, they will continue to be non−Part 71 airspace areas where participating pilots can receive additional radar services which have been redefined as TRSA Service.

b. TRSAs. The primary airport(s) within the TRSA become(s) Class D airspace. The remaining portion of the TRSA overlies other controlled airspace which is normally Class E airspace beginning at 700 or 1,200 feet and established to transition to/from the en route/terminal environment.

c. Participation. Pilots operating under VFR are encouraged to contact the radar approach control and avail themselves of the TRSA services. However, participation is voluntary on the part of the pilot. See Chapter 4, Air Traffic Control, for details and procedures.

AIM, Chapter 4, Air Traffic Control, 4-1-18, Terminal Radar Service for VFR Aircraft: http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publicat ... 01.html.12

I hope that this helps.

[Keith Smith]

Bruce,

Since PSP is so close to being a Class C (from a procedural standpoint), we felt it was 'close enough' to list it as a Class C on the coverage map rather than creating a one-off category just for the TRSA.

[Anthony Santanastaso]

I found an interesting forum post regarding this very topic. Scroll about half way down and you'll see a post by a user called "MTV." They appear to have been involved in the creation process of TRSA's, and they offer some explanation as to why it came into existence after the new system of airspace was developed.

http://www.backcountrypilot.org/forum/v ... =10&t=7334

[bruce]

Keith. "Since PSP is so close to being a Class C (from a procedural standpoint), we felt it was 'close enough' to list it as a Class C....."
Now that you mention it I am sure this was mentioned in a past workshop. Thanks!

Mr S. "I found an interesting forum post regarding this very topic........"
Really interesting link, I am now older & wiser. Many thanks.

[Mark Hargrove]

Thanks for link Anthony -- fun read. As an indication of how long ago I was flying in the real world, KBUR was still a TRSA, and LAX was a TCA. I had to completely re-learn airspace when I started flying on PE.

It was also pretty interesting to read about Fargo a little further on in the discussion.

-M.