STS Helicopter LOA

When can helicopter pilots deviate from designated routes and procedures?

Designated helicopter routes and procedures will be adhered to unless a request is made and approval is received from STS ATCT; and STS ATCT will retain authority to approve or deny requests for use of procedures.At what altitude must designated routes be flown?

At what altitude must designated routes be flown?

Designated routes must be flown at or below five hundred (500) feet AGL while inside the fixes.

What must pilots do regarding frequency monitoring while in Delta airspace?

Tower frequency must be monitored while in Delta airspace unless otherwise requested and approved.

What frequency must VFR/SVFR helicopter pilots use to contact the tower?

Pilots operating VFR/SVFR will contact the tower on 118.5 MHz for departure/arrival.

What are considered signatory departure/landing areas?

Signatory departure/landing areas are those spots located east of runway 14/32 (i.e., Sheriff's Pad, Reach Ramp, Helico Ramp, True Air, Knob Hill, SJC/Kaiser Ramps).

Are the "Skid's" considered signatory areas?

The "Skid's" west of runway 2/20 are not considered signatory and pilots must comply with ATC instructions when maneuvering to or from the "Skid's."

What must pilots do for departures when weather conditions are above basic VFR?

1. State the appropriate ATIS code, helicopter position, and departure route requested.

2. Avoid overflying aircraft on the movement areas.

3. Remain on the assigned route unless otherwise requested and approved.

What must pilots do for arrivals when weather conditions are above basic VFR?

1. State the appropriate ATIS code, helicopter position, desired landing spot, and arrival route requested.

2. Avoid overflying aircraft on the movement areas.

3. Remain on the assigned route unless otherwise requested and approved.

What must pilots do for departures when weather conditions are below basic VFR and SVFR clearance is requested?

1. State the appropriate ATIS code, helicopter position, request SVFR clearance and departure route requested.

2. Avoid overflying aircraft on the movement areas.

3. Maintain SVFR at or below the altitude restriction assigned by ATC (normally 2,500 MSL).

4. Report at the designated fixes or leaving Delta airspace as requested by STS ATCT.

5. Comply with ATC instructions.

What must pilots do for arrivals when weather conditions are below basic VFR and SVFR clearance is requested?

1. State the appropriate ATIS code, helicopter position, desired landing spot, request SVFR clearance and arrival route requested.

2. Avoid overflying aircraft on the movement areas.

3. Maintain SVFR at or below the altitude restriction assigned by ATC (normally 2,500 MSL).

4. Report at the designated fixes or entering Delta airspace as requested by STS ATCT.

5. Comply with ATC instructions.

What must pilots do in an emergency involving lost communication?

1. Maintain VFR conditions and proceed inbound via the Fulton Arrival to the Fulton fix and hold until receiving a light gun signal.

2. If unable to maintain VFR, maintain SVFR and proceed inbound via the Fulton One Arrival to the Fulton fix and hold until receiving a light gun signal.

3. If the nature of the emergency will not allow holding at the Fulton fix, air taxi from the Fulton fix to the signatory landing area with the aircraft landing light on and land.

What must STS ATCT provide to aircraft requesting rescue priority?

STS ATCT must provide standard separation and priority handling; and maximum assistance will be provided to aircraft requesting rescue priority.

What is the VFR Shiloh Departure route?

Signatory departure area remaining east of runway 14/32, direct to the Shiloh fix.

What is the VFR Shiloh Arrival route?

Direct to the Shiloh fix, remaining east of runway 14/32, direct to the signatory landing area.

What is the VFR Fulton Departure route?

Signatory departure area remaining east of runway 14/32, direct to the Fulton fix.

What is the VFR Fulton Arrival route?

Direct to the Fulton fix, remaining east of runway 14/32, direct to the signatory landing area.

What is the VFR Bodega Departure route?

Signatory departure area, cross runway 14/32, direct to the Bodega fix.

What is the VFR Bodega Arrival route?

Direct to the Bodega fix, cross runway 14/32, direct to the signatory landing area.

What is the VFR Coast Departure route?

Signatory departure area, cross runways 14/32 and 2/20, direct to the Coast fix.

What is the VFR Coast Arrival route?

Direct to the Coast fix, cross runways 2/20 and 14/32, direct to the signatory landing area.

What is the SVFR Shiloh One Departure route?

Signatory departure area remaining east of runway 14/32, direct to the Shiloh fix, direct to the Shiloh One fix.

What is the SVFR Shiloh One Arrival route?

Shiloh One fix, direct to the Shiloh fix, remaining east of runway 14/32, direct to the signatory landing area.

What is the SVFR Fulton One Departure route?

Signatory departure area remaining east of runway 14/32, direct to the Fulton fix, direct to the Fulton One fix.

What is the SVFR Fulton One Arrival route?

Fulton One fix, direct to the Fulton fix, remaining east of runway 14/32, direct to the signatory landing area.

What is the SVFR Bodega One Departure route?

Signatory departure area, cross runway 14/32, direct to the Bodega fix, direct to the Bodega One fix.

What is the SVFR Bodega One Arrival route?

Bodega One fix, direct to the Bodega fix, cross runway 14/32, direct to the signatory landing area.

What is the SVFR Coast One Departure route?

Signatory departure area, cross runways 14/32 and 2/20, direct to the Coast fix, direct to the Coast One fix.

What is the SVFR Coast One Arrival route?

Coast One fix, direct to the Coast fix, cross runways 2/20 and 14/32, direct to the signatory landing area.

Where is the Shiloh fix located?

Shiloh Road and Highway 101.

Where is the Shiloh One fix located?

Trailer Storage (6.5 NM NNW).

Where is the Fulton fix located?

River Road and Fulton Road.

Where is the Fulton One fix located?

Round Barn/Hilton (4.3 NM SE).

Where is the Bodega fix located?

River Road and Olivet Road.

Where is the Bodega One fix located?

Santa Rosa Country Club (4.7 NM S).

Where is the Coast fix located?

Mark West Station Road and Starr Road.

Where is the Coast One fix located?

Steel Head Beach (4.4 NM W).