DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Potomac TRACON
3699 MacIntosh Drive
Warrenton, VA 20187

Issued: 03/24/2023 1353 (UTC) Effective: 03/28/2023 1200 (UTC)
Potomac TRACON Letter to Airmen: LTA-PCT-36
**** Cancelled on 03/25/2025 2003****

Subject: VFR Practice Instrument Approaches

Cancellation: 03/27/2025 1200 (UTC)

Potomac Approach Control (PCT) will provide IFR separation to VFR aircraft conducting practice instrument approaches at the following airports:  Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI), Martin State Airport (MTN), Newnam Field Airport - Easton (ESN), Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport -Martinsburg (MRB). Manassas Regional Airport (HEF), Hagerstown Airport (HGR), Frederick Municipal Airport (FDK), Richmond International Airport (RIC), and Charlottesville-Albemarle County Airport (CHO).

Pilots requesting practice instrument approaches should advise Potomac Approach on initial contact of the airport, type approach requested and intentions for completion of the approach.  IFR separation will be based on known traffic and will be applied after the approach clearance is issued.  Unless specifically requested by the pilot and approved by the controller, IFR separation will not be provided for the missed approach procedure. 

Pilots should understand that practice approaches may not interrupt the flow of other arriving and departing traffic.  Consequently, at times, it may be necessary to refuse, delay or withdraw authorization to conduct practice approaches.  Additionally, pilots should be aware that an approach clearance does not relieve the pilot of his/her responsibility to see and avoid other traffic or to remain in VFR weather conditions as defined in FAR 91.155.  Requests for practice approaches should be made on the appropriate approach control frequency.

APPROACH CONTROL FREQUENCY FOR PRACTICE APPROACHES:

       AIRPORT                                     APPROACH CONTROL FREQUENCY

                BWI                                                       119.7/290.475

                MTN                                                      119.7/290.475

                ESN                                                       124.55/317.425

                FDK                                            West - 126.82/239.025

                                                                   East - 125.52/291.625

                HEF                                                       120.82/284.625

                HGR                                                      126.82/239.025

                MRB                                                      126.82/239.025

                RIC                                             West - 126.75/307.2

                                                                   East - 126.4/282.375

                CHO                                                      132.85/269.525 or

                                                                             120.52/323.125


Bryan K. Lehman
Air Traffic Manager, Potomac TRACON