ISSUED: March 7, 1997 EFFECTIVE: April 1, 1997

OAKLAND CENTER LETTER TO AIRMEN NO. 97­01

SUBJECT: IFR SEPARATION TO PRACTICE INSTRUMENT APPROACHES

CANCELLATION: April 1, 1999

This Letter is issued to inform all users that Oakland Center will provide standard IFR separation to VFR aircraft conducting practice instrument approaches at the following locations:

LOCATION                                   FREQUENCIES

Chico Municipal (CIC)                      132.2/350.3
Napa County (APC)                          127.8/353.5
Paso Robles Municipal (PRB)                128.7/307.0
Petaluma Municipal (069)                   127.8/353.5
Red Bluff Municipal (RBL)                  132.2/350.3
Redding Municipal (RDD)                    132.2/350.3
Santa Rosa/Sonoma County (STS)             127.8/353.5
Ukiah Municipal (UKI)                      132.2/350.3

IFR separation will be provided between KNOWN "practice instrument approach" aircraft, and between "practice instrument approach" aircraft and IFR aircraft. VFR aircraft conducting practice instrument approaches will be instructed to maintain VFR conditions. If the pilot wishes to proceed in accordance with instrument flight rules, the pilot must specifically request and obtain an IFR clearance.

The controller has the prerogative to authorize, withdraw authorization, or refuse to authorize practice instrument approaches as traffic conditions require. The prerogative will not normally be used to terminate a practice approach in progress.

For more information, refer to the Aeronautical Information Manual under Practice Instrument Approaches, or call Oakland Center at (510) 745­3305.

Ward E. Huston
Air Traffic Manager, Oakland Center