LETTER OF AGREEMENT
EFFECTIVE: March 9, 1994
Subject: SOARING OPERATIONS
This Letter of Agreement establishes areas and procedures for soaring operations within Class A airspace under Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center's (Center) jurisdiction
The Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center, Black Forest Soaring Society, Johnson Aircraft, Inc., and U.S. Air Force Academy Soaring Branch Letter of Agreement dated June 1, 1989, same subject, is canceled.
This letter authorizes Black Forest Soaring Society, Soar Black Forest, Inc., and U.S. Air Force Academy 54th Operations Group to deviate from the requirements of FAR 91.135 with exception. Compliance with FAR 91.135, paragraphs (a), (b), and (d), is mandatory when operating in the areas specified in paragraph 4 and under the conditions specified in paragraphs 5 and 6 of this letter.
4. SCOPE:
a. Soaring Area No. 1 is designated FL180 to FL600 inclusive within the geographical coordinates described in Attachment 1 of this agreement.
b. Soaring Area No. 2 is designated FL180 to FL600 inclusive within the geographical coordinates described in Attachment 1 of this agreement.
c. Soaring Area No. 3 is designated FL180 to FL600 inclusive within the geographical coordinates described in Attachment 1 of this agreement.
d. Soaring Area No. 4 is designated FL180 to FL600 inclusive within the geographical coordinates described in Attachment1 of this agreement.
NOTE 1: When fixed wing aircraft are operating in R-2601, Soaring Area No.2 may only be used at altitudes at least 500 feet (above FL290 - 1,000 feet) above the in-use altitude of the fixed wing aircraft.
NOTE 2: When the Fremont MOA/ATCAA is in use, Soaring Area No. 3 may only be used at altitudes at least 500 feet (above FL290 - 1,000 feet) above the in-use altitude of the Fremont MOA/ATCAA.
5. RESPONSIBILITIES:
a. Black Forest Soaring Society, Soar Black Forest, Inc., and U.S. Air Force Academy 54th Operations Group and Pilots.
(1) Pilots shall become sufficiently familiar with local terrain features so that flight will be contained within the soaring area by visual reference to the ground. Pilots shall remain in visual meteorological conditions.
(2) Black Forest Soaring Society, Soar Black Forest, Inc., and U.S. Air Force Academy 54th Operations Group shall ensure that all aircraft operating in any soaring area specified in this agreement are equipped with functioning two-way radio communications. Pilots shall maintain communications with Center on 134.975 MHz or other frequency as assigned by ATC.
(3) The soaring organizations listed are delegated the operational responsibility for the soaring area when the soaring area airspace has been released by Center. Center shall not be responsible for the separation of any flights within the released airspace.
(4) U.S. Air Force Academy 54th Operations Group and Soar Black Forest, Inc., shall coordinate the use of the soaring areas with Black Forest Soaring Society.
(5) The soaring organizations listed shall maintain a record of aircraft identifications and pilots operating in the soaring areas. After daily operations are completed, the number of sorties shall be forwarded to Center at (303) 651-4243 or on 134.975 MHz.
(6) The authorization specified in paragraph 3 of this letter may be subdelegated by the soaring organizations listed to pilots not under their jurisdiction, provided a signed statement is obtained from each pilot in which the pilot states he accepts and will comply with all conditions of this Letter of Agreement. The U.S. Air Force Academy 54th Operations Group will maintain the records necessary to comply with this provision and notify Black Forest Soaring Society
b. Center.
(1) Traffic permitting, the sector controller may release airspace under his/her jurisdiction (Area 1, Fl180 to FL260) immediately upon receiving the request.
(2) The sector controller shall specify the area(s), flight levels, and time parameters when clearing aircraft to operate in the designated airspace.
(3) Center controllers may compress the altitude block released to aircraft within the area(s) to accommodate other IFR traffic.
(4) When the requested area(s) is not available, Center should suggest alternate area(s), flight levels, or tine periods -
6. PROCEDURES:
a. The soaring organizations listed and the pilots using the designated airspace shall:
(1) Make requests for an area(s) to the Center Military Weather Service Specialists at least 30 minutes prior to its use at (303) 651-4252. This request shall include the area(s), the altitude blocks, and the time parameters desired. Aircraft call signs should also be given, if known.
(2) Call Center on 134.975 MHz to request a release of airspace stating the call sign of the aircraft.
NOTE: The area(s) will not be considered active until an aircraft is specifically cleared into the area(s).
(3) Remain within the released airspace, altitudes, and time parameters while operating at or above FL180
(4) Comply with all instructions received from Center while operating at or above FL180.
(5) Notify Center 134.975 MHz or other assigned frequency when leaving the soaring area(s).
(6) Maintain a constant listening watch on 134.975 MHz or other frequency as assigned by ATC. In the event of radio failure, aircraft shall exit the area(s) prior to the end of the released time period and notify Center at (303) 651-4243
(7) Notify Center on 134.975 MHz or at (303) 651-4243 and release the soaring area(s) back to Center control when there is no longer a need for the entire coordinated time periods.
7. ATTACHMENTS:
a. Geographical description of Soaring Areas No. 1, 2, 3, and 4, and appropriate telephone numbers.
b. Chart of designated soaring areas.
ATTACHMENT 1:
Soaring Area No.1
Bounded by a line beginning
|
39 00 00 N |
105 03 00 W |
Woodland Park, CO |
|
39 01 40 N |
104 50 00 W |
INTX 1-25 and North entrance AFA |
|
38 49 30 N |
104 43 00 W |
NW corner COS Airport |
|
38 47 40 N |
104 52 00 W |
Broadmoor Hotel |
|
38 46 30 N |
104 S9 30 W |
Tower |
|
38 47 00 N |
105 07 30 W |
Gillet, CO |
thence to point of origin.
Soaring Area No. 2
Bounded by a line beginning
|
38 41 30 N |
104 58 00 W |
Black Mountain |
|
38 44 30 N |
104 57 20 W |
Rosemont, CO |
|
38 47 40 N |
104 52 00 W |
Broadmoor Hotel |
|
38 49 30 N |
104 43 00 W |
NW corner COS Airport |
|
38 45 00 N |
104 44 00 W |
Security, CO |
thence to point of origin.
Soaring Area No. 3
Bounded by a line beginning
|
38 47 40 N |
104 52 00 W |
Broadmoor Hotel |
|
38 44 30 N |
104 57 20 W |
Rosemont, CO |
|
38 41 30 N |
104 58 00 W |
Black Mountain |
|
38 42 30 N |
105 09 00 W |
Victor, CO |
|
38 47 00 N |
105 07 30 W |
Gillet, CO |
|
38 46 30 N |
104 59 30 W |
Tower |
thence to point of origin.
Soaring Area No.4
Bounded by a line beginning
|
39 00 00 N |
105 03 00 W |
Woodland Park, CO |
|
39 07 30 N |
104 55 00 W |
Palmer Lake, CO |
|
39 08 00 N |
104 51 00 W |
Peak (7881 feet) |
|
39 01 40 N |
104 50 00 W |
INTX 1-25 and North entrance AFA |
thence to point of origin.
ATTACHMENT 1:
|
Denver Center: Watch Deck |
(303) 65l-4248 |
|
Denver Center: Area Supervisor |
(303) 651-4243 |
|
Denver Center: Military specialist |
(303) 651-4252 |
|
Black Forest Soaring Society |
(303) 648-3623 |
|
USAF Academy 54th Operations Group |
(719) 472-3389 |
ATTACHMENT 2:
Map