Chapter 4. Correspondence, Conferences, Records, and Reports
Section 1. General
4-1-1. CORRESPONDENCE STANDARDS
Prepare and issue
facility correspondence in accordance with:
a. FAAO
1360.16, FAA Correspondence Policy, which prescribes basic correspondence
standards.
b. FAAO 1320.1,
FAA Directives System, which prescribes the procedures for issuing direction
and work information.
4-1-2. SIGNATURE
Correspondence
addressed to organizations, businesses, or individuals outside FAA shall be
signed "Air Traffic Manager, Reno Automated Flight Service Station," "Air
Traffic Manager, Washington Center," or "Air Traffic Manager, Denver Tower."
The authorized contractions for the facility names may be used on
correspondence addressed to any component of FAA; e.g., "Air Traffic
Manager, Denver AFSS."
4-1-3. SERVICE AREA
REVIEW
Forward copies of
facility correspondence concerning facility operating procedures to the
Service Area office; e.g., letter to airmen normally sent to pilots, airline
companies, military commands or bases, and fixed-base operators. This
correspondence shall be reviewed and approved at the discretion of the
Service Area office prior to distribution. When information sent to users
includes a change in operating procedures, facilities shall establish an
effective date for implementing these operating procedures at least 30 days
after the date of distribution unless otherwise authorized by the Service
Area office.
4-1-4. CORRESPONDENCE
REGARDING POLICY/PROCEDURES
Air traffic managers
may handle correspondence dealing with matters involving operating policy or
procedures directly with other agencies or services. If the matter is not
within the jurisdiction of the air traffic manager, acknowledge the
correspondence and state that the answer will be prepared and forwarded by
the Service Area office. Forward all pertinent background material to the
Service Area office with recommendations for further handling.
4-1-5. IRREGULAR
OPERATION
If information or
correspondence is received from an aviation agency indicating an irregular
operation (exclusive of policy items) by a facility, the air traffic manager
shall investigate and reply to the agency within 3 administrative work days
of receipt. If the air traffic manager cannot investigate and prepare a
reply within 3 days, or if the matter deals with policy items outside
his/her purview, he/she shall forward a letter of acknowledgment. Send
copies of all correspondence, instructions issued to prevent recurrence, and
any information on any disciplinary action taken to the service area office.
4-1-6. PRELIMINARY
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
In coordination with
the Terminal Operations Area Operations Air Traffic Environmental Protection
Specialist (EPS), facilities shall conduct and document a preliminary
environmental review of new or revised ATC procedures in accordance with
FAAO 1050.1, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, concurrent with
initial airspace planning. The facility's review requires the documentation
necessary to determine foreseeable noise impacts and controversies.
a. Particular
attention shall be made to determine whether procedures, either new or
modified, will potentially impact noise sensitive areas as defined in FAAO
1050.1, Policies and Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts.
b. For air
traffic modifications to procedures at or above 3,000 feet (above ground
level), the Air Traffic Noise Screening Procedure (ATNS) should be applied.
c. Modifications to procedures below 3,000 feet (above ground level)
require additional analysis. Facilities shall contact the EPS for further
guidance.
d. If the
preliminary environmental review indicates that an Environmental Assessment
or an Environmental Impact Statement is not required, the documentation
shall be retained in the facility with copies of all documentation forwarded
to the EPS. The directive resulting from the air traffic procedure shall
contain a statement that a preliminary environmental review has been
accomplished and that a Categorical Exclusion has been approved by the
responsible official.
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