Air Traffic Update on Flight Training at Reid Hillview Airport Issued: May 2023
The close spacing of the parallel runways 31L and 31R/13L and 13R and proximity to Capitol Expressway on the East Side make this airport a unique training environment at Reid Hillview Airport.
Following the VGT mid-air collision on July 17, 2022, air traffic has introduced a tighter spacing tolerance at tower-controlled airports with closely spaced parallel runways. This change takes effect on the publication date of this Notice at the Reid Hillview Airport in Santa Clara County. Certificated Flight Instructors are being alerted to the need for tighter training parameters when on approach to all runways especially by one mile or greater from the runway threshold.
The hold-short lines between the runways are close but tolerances in the air are closer due to limited reaction time. As the aircraft advances on the approach trajectory, reaction time to correct an error may not be available considering the time to process and readback the instructions.
To avoid potential overshoots on approach, it is recommended that flight instructors remain on high alert during the approach phase to the runway. It is important for flight instructors to maintain situational awareness and remain ready to assume control, particularly within 1 mile of the airport. Flight instructors should be prepared to take control of the aircraft at any time there is risk of a potential runway overshoot, wrong surface operation or other emergency situation.
If you perform student pilot training at Reid Hillview Airport, here are some tips to consider when giving training:
- Regardless of where you are on the approach, if you are misaligned with the assigned runway you will be instructed to go-around.
- If an aircraft attempts to land on an unauthorized surface, such as a wrong runway, taxiway, or any other area not authorized by air traffic control, and the deviation is not corrected prior to reaching 1 mile from the extended runway centerline, the following procedures will be applied: Air traffic control must file a mandatory occurrence report if the aircraft is within one mile and misaligned from the runway centerline. If the aircraft is within half a mile, it will be treated as a pilot deviation, and the accompanying records will be forwarded to the FSDO.
- Make sure you repeat the landing runway ATC assigns to you and adhere to the instructions
- Give yourself some time to prepare your student and explain the reduced tolerances on the ground prior to the flight
- Explain the RHV Arrival Alert Notices to your student for 31R and Taxiway Y and runway 13L and Taxiway Y2 and review the video on the Runway Safety Flight Deck
- Manage distractions – Learn to manage distractions especially within one mile from touchdown. Keep a sterile cockpit on the approach segment and while maneuvering. Make sure the aircraft is stable before copying ATC instructions, reviewing the approach, changing and folding charts. Assign a second pilot to scan for traffic.
- Maintain a listening watch on NorCal TRACON on the second frequency
- Be Alert to Change - Check in with the Tower if you have a tendency to forget the newly assigned runway or as a matter of routine always land on runway 31R and the tower switches you to another runway
Phraseology to expect: CHANGE TO RUNWAY (number), RUNWAY (number) CLEARED TO LAND. NOTE−
The purpose of the “change to runway” phraseology and restating the runway number is to emphasize to the pilot that they are being cleared to land on a runway other than what they were expecting. FAAO 7110.65 3-10-5
- During Visual Approaches, expect runway assignment from the Tower controller not the overlying approach control.
- Evaluate and Update your Personal Minimums
- Make sure you have good VFR weather and visibility when conducting closed pattern operations
- Maintain situational awareness – monitor, evaluate and anticipate what you are doing and where you will be in the approach sequence
Jonathan Taveras
RHV Air Traffic Manager
2204 Waverly Ave
San Jose, CA 95122
408-272-5917 W
