Department of Transportation

Federal Aviation Administration

San Juan Air Traffic Control Tower

Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport

Carolina, Puerto Rico

 

Issued:09/15/2021                                                                               Effective: 10/01/2021

                                                         

SAN JUAN ATCT LETTER TO AIRMEN NO. LTA-SJU-1

 

SUBJECT: VFR TRANSITION ROUTES THROUGH THE SAN JUAN CLASS C AIRSPACE

 

CANCELLATION: 09/30/2023

 

BACKGROUND: VFR Transition routes have been established to provide a standard procedure to approach and depart Isla Grande Airport and transition through the San Juan Class C Airspace. While these routes are not mandatory, they are recommended for the safe and orderly transition of all aircraft in the area. Air Traffic may curtail and /or modify these procedures at any time. Comply with Air Traffic Control instructions and plan an alternate route. Aircraft flying these transitions have to be ADS-B Out compliant.

 

PROCEDURES:

 

TANGO TRANSITION

 

• PURPOSE: Westbound transition through the San Juan Class C Airspace
• ALTITUDE: Maintain 2,000 feet MSL, maintain VFR
• FREQUENCY:             San Juan Approach 120.9

           San Juan Tower 132.05

            Isla Grande Tower 135.875

            San Juan Approach 119.4 (for aircraft continuing westbound)

• PROCEDURE: Contact San Juan Approach at Fajardo / Luquillo Condominiums and request the “Tango Transition”

 

• ROUTE DESCRIPTION: From the vicinity of Fajardo Lighthouse / Luquillo Condominiums proceed to the Plaza Carolina Mall. From overhead the Plaza Carolina Mall, proceed directly to and overhead the SJU Air Traffic Control Tower. Depart the tower on a heading 330 degrees until reaching the reef, approximately 2 miles offshore. Then enter left traffic for Isla Grande Airport. When Isla Grande Tower is closed, continue on heading 330 until the reef before proceeding westbound. From this point, entry may be made into the Isla Grande traffic pattern. If continuing westbound, further advisories can be requested from approach control on frequency 119.4. (Attachment 2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RIVER TRANSITION

 

• PURPOSE: Eastbound transition through the San Juan Class C Airspace for:
• Isla Grande departures
• Over flying traffic from the west
• ALTITUDE: Maintain 1,500 feet MSL, maintain VFR

• FREQUENCY:San Juan Approach 119.4 (over flights from the west only)

San Juan Tower 132.05

San Juan Approach 120.9

           

• PROCEDURE: Departing SIG: Contact SIG Ground Control and request the “River Transition”.

Overflights from the West: Contact San Juan Approach on frequency 119.4 in the vicinity of La Plata (Dorado) River mouth and request the “River Transition”.

 

• ROUTE DESCRIPTION:

o   Isla Grande departures:

• Runway 9.

Climb to 1,500 feet and fly heading 070 degrees until one mile offshore, north of the Conrad Condado Plaza Hotel, proceed along the coastline until North of Punta las Marias, then proceed directly to and overhead the San Juan Air Traffic Control Tower, then proceed eastbound between the runways on heading 095 or as instructed by Air Traffic. (Attachment 1)

 

• Runway 27.

Climb to 1,500 feet while making a right downwind departure until one mile offshore, north of the Conrad Condado Plaza Hotel, proceed along the coastline until North of Punta las Marias, then proceed directly to and overhead the SJU Air Traffic Control Tower, then proceed eastbound between the runways on heading 095 or as instructed by Air Traffic. (Attachment 1)

 

When departing Isla Grande and the control tower not open, contact San Juan Tower on frequency 132.05/257.8 and request the “River Transition” indicating type aircraft and destination.

 

o   Overflights:

Contact San Juan Approach on frequency 119.4 in the vicinity of La Plata (Dorado) River mouth and request the “River Transition”. From abeam the river’s mouth, and approximately one mile offshore, follow the shoreline until north of the Conrad Condado Plaza Hotel; proceed along the coastline until north of Punta las Marias, then proceed directly to and overhead the SJU Air Traffic Control Tower, then proceed eastbound between the runways on heading 095 or as instructed by Air Traffic. (Attachment 1)

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PLAZA TRANSITION

 

 

• PURPOSE: Eastbound transition through the San Juan Class C Airspace when SJU airport is on a Runway 26 / 28 operation for:
• Isla Grande departures
• Over flying traffic from the west
• ALTITUDE: Maintain 1,500 feet MSL, maintain VFR

• FREQUENCY:San Juan Approach 119.4 (over flights from the west only)

San Juan Tower 132.05

San Juan Approach 120.9

• PROCEDURE: Contact SIG Ground Control and request the “Plaza Transition”

Overflights from the West: Contact San Juan Approach on frequency 119.4 in the vicinity of La Plata (Dorado) River mouth and request the “Plaza Transition”.

 

• ROUTE DESCRIPTION:
• Isla Grande departures:

 

• Runway 9.

Climb to 1,500 feet and fly heading 070 degrees until one mile offshore, north of the Conrad Condado Plaza Hotel, proceed along the coastline until North of Punta las Marias, then proceed directly to and overhead the SJU Air Traffic Control Tower, then direct to the Plaza Carolina Mall. Over Plaza Carolina Mall proceed eastbound on a heading 095.(Attachment 3)

 

• Runway 27.

Climb to 1,500 feet while making a right downwind departure until one mile offshore, north of the Conrad Condado Plaza Hotel, proceed along the coastline until North of Punta las Marias, then proceed directly to and overhead the SJU Air Traffic Control Tower, and direct the Plaza Carolina Mall. Over Plaza Carolina Mall proceed eastbound on a heading 095.

(Attachment 3)

• Overflights.

Contact San Juan Approach on frequency 119.4 in the vicinity of La Plata (Dorado) River mouth and request the “Plaza Transition”. From abeam the river’s mouth, and approximately one mile offshore, follows the shoreline until north of the Conrad Condado Plaza Hotel; proceed along the coastline until North of Punta las Marias, then proceed along the shoreline until abeam the SJU Air Traffic Control Tower, then overhead the Control Tower, and direct the Plaza Carolina Mall. Over Plaza Carolina Mall proceed eastbound on a heading 095. (Attachment 3)

 

When departing Isla Grande and the control tower is not open, contact San Juan Tower on frequency 132.05/257.8 and request the “Plaza Transition” indicating type aircraft and destination.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOW OFFSHORE TRANSITION

 

 

• PURPOSE: West bound transition through the San Juan Class C Airspace
• ALTITUDE: Maintain 500 feet MSL, maintain VFR

• FREQUENCY:             San Juan Approach 120.9

San Juan Tower 132.05

            Isla Grande Tower 135.875

 

• PROCEDURE: For Westbound Transition contact San Juan Approach prior to the Loiza River mouth and request the “Low Offshore Transition”.

                      

• ROUTE DESCRIPTION:

VFR aircraft flying Westbound or landing SIG Airport will cross the Loiza River mouth at or below 500 feet MSL and fly along the shoreline. (Attachment 4)