EFFECTIVE: April 1, 2009 MIA AIR ROUTE TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTER LETTER TO AIRMEN NO: 09-01
SUBJ ECT: VFR Traffic in the Vicinity of DEKAL CANCELLATION: April 1, 2011
In the interest of flight safety, this letter is issued in response to several recent incidents where TCAS alerts occurred between IFR arrivals on the DEKAL1 and WAVUN1 STAR's into Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport and VFR flights in the vicinity of the DEKAL intersection. Particularly within Miami ARTC Center airspace, it is essential that VFR flights are aware of the high volume of IFR jet traffic transitioning to Miami TRACON over DEKAL. These IFR arrivals are descending to 5000-6000 feet at DEKAL; therefore, VFR aircraft should try to avoid these altitudes in the vicinity of the DEKAL intersection. In an effort to eliminate similar events, this Letter To Airmen serves as a reminder to the aviation community of Aeronautical information Manual (AIM) related paragraphs, which are used as a basis to separate aircraft by air traffic control personnel.
The Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) states:
4-1-19. Transponder Operations
a. General
1. Pilots should be aware that proper application transponder operating procedures will provide both VFR and IFR aircraft with a higher degree of safety in the environment where high-speed closure rates are possible. Transponders substantially increase the capability of radar to see an aircraft and the Mode C feature enables the controller to quickly determine where potential traffic conflicts may exist. Even VFR pilots who are not in contact with ATC will he afforded greater protection from IFR aircraft and VFR aircraft that are receiving traffic advisories. Nevertheless, pilots should never relax their visual scanning vigilance for other aircraft.
3. Civil and military transponders should be adjusted to the "on" or normal operating position as late as practicable prior to takeoff and to "off or "standby" as soon as practicable after completing landing roll, unless the change to "standby" has been accomplished previously at the request of A TC.
7-5-2. VFR in Congested Areas a high percentage of near midair collisions occur below 8,000 feet AGL and within 30 miles of an airport. When operating VFR in these highly congested areas, whether you intend to land at an airport within the area or are just flying through, it is recommended that extra vigilance be maintained and that you monitor an appropriate control frequency. Normally the appropriate frequency is an approach control frequency. By such monitoring action you can "get the picture" of the traffic in your area. When the approach controller has radar capability, radar traffic advisories may be given to VFR pilots upon request.
Any questions concerning this Letter to Airmen should be forwarded to the Miami ARTCC Operations Support/Planning & Requirements Office at (305)716-1547.
Kenneth E. Thomas, Air Traffic Manager Miami ARTC Center
DEKAL Letter to Airman
