The Central Oregon airspace and the airports of Redmond Roberts Field (RDM), Bend Municipal (BDN), Prineville (S39) and Madras Municipal (S33) have experienced tremendous growth in traffic over the past few years.   The flying community is a diverse mix of flight schools (helicopter and light aircraft), high performance turboprops, firefighting aircraft and a variety of commercial aircraft.  Much of the congestion is the result of the number of practice approaches flown on conflicting approaches in VFR and IFR conditions. 

Pilots are encourage to consider use of the following practices:

1. When operating within 15NM of the DSD VORTAC, aircraft should exercise caution and use extra vigilance.  Consider using landing lights, rotating beacon and/or navigation lights to be more visible. In VFR conditions, this is an added measure of safety; in marginal VFR conditions (haze and smoke), this could be the difference between a controlled aircraft avoidance and near mid-air collision.

2. VFR flight following services.

3. For ADS-B equipped aircraft flying VFR within 25 miles of the DSD VORTAC, Seattle Center encourages pilots to broadcast ADS-B Flight ID at all times, squawk 1237 and monitor frequency 126.15.  Squawking 1237 while broadcasting Flight ID will force the display of your call sign onto the controllers radar display.  This allows ATC to potentially call traffic in the blind or ask your intentions when you are maneuvering in the area.

4. VFR aircraft should maintain an appropriate VFR altitude for direction of flight. Use caution changing altitudes and use clearing turns prior to maneuvering your aircraft.

5. Consider practice holds on radials away from congested areas and particularly away from the DSD VOR.

6. Remain aware of the runway in use at the Redmond Airport. ATIS on 119.025. Aircraft operating in the vicinity of final approach courses, have led to numerous aircraft having to execute a missed approach.

Helpful pilot practices, and information:

 • When Runway 5 is in use, refrain from holding West or Southwest of the RDM airport below 9,000 MSL. (See ZSE LTA Subject Runway 5 Corridor – Redmond, OR.)

• When Runway 23 is in use, S39 arrivals should use caution transitioning the RDM localizer.

• When Runway 29 is in use, the East Practice Area conflicts with the final approach course, practice aircraft should remain south of Goering Ranch.

• Opposite direction, practice approaches are likely to be interrupted or not approved.

• Use caution departing BDN on the BEND ONE Departure, the procedure crosses the final to RDM Runway 05.

• Aircraft inbound to RDM or conducting a visual approach maneuvering to the south, should use caution in the vicinity of the BDN Airport. The pattern at BDN is typically very busy on the west side of the airport, extending up to 5000 MSL.