This Letter to Airmen provides advisory operating procedures for aircraft conducting VFR or IFR approaches to
Casa Grande Municipal Airport (KCGZ) via the Stanfield VOR (TFD). The airspace within approximately 10 NM of
TFD, surface to 7,500 feet MSL, experiences high-density training activity, including simulated instrument
operations, in a non-radar Class E environment. Pilots are encouraged to adhere to the procedures described
herein to enhance traffic awareness and reduce the risk of midair collision.

These procedures are advisory only and do not supersede ATC clearances, FAA regulations, or right-of-way rules.
Aircraft operating under an IFR clearance should continue to follow ATC instructions. Pilots unfamiliar with these local practices may be operating legally without following them; all operators are encouraged to maintain professionalism, patience, and cooperative traffic avoidance. These recommendations were developed collaboratively between Albuquerque Air Route Traffic Control Center and Arizona Flight Training Workgroup (AFTW) for use until approach procedures can be changed.

Aircraft conducting practice or simulated IFR approaches to KCGZ Runway 05 are advised to utilize the locally
established holding “stack” procedures centered on the TFD VOR provided by the Arizona Flight Training
Workgroup (AFTW). Stack holding altitudes are 4,500 feet MSL to 7,500 feet MSL, separated by 500-foot
increments. VFR aircraft inbound to KCGZ are advised to make the recommended position broadcasts on 122.7,
including:
*10 NM from TFD requesting top of stack, 2 minutes out;
*Each altitude change while in the stack;
*Procedure turn inbound;
*VOR inbound with approach altitudes open;
*4 NM final to Runway 05 at KCGZ; and
*2 NM final to Runway 05 at KCGZ.
Upon transitioning inbound to KCGZ, pilots should report to Casa Grande traffic to support sequencing with pattern aircraft.

Altitudes below 4,500 feet MSL are designated as approach altitudes and are recommended for aircraft executing an instrument approach. VFR aircraft are encouraged to descend through the stack one at a time, announcing altitude changes and when vacated altitudes are available, prior to initiating the published approach from the appropriate starting altitude as depicted on the approach plate.

IFR aircraft should expect Albuquerque Center to issue an approach clearance that may include a restriction to cross TFD at 5,000 feet MSL and a change to advisory frequency (122.7) at least 10 NM from TFD. IFR aircraft should descend to 5,000 feet as soon as practicable to avoid descending through VFR holding stack altitudes. IFR aircraft should announce their position relative to TFD on 122.7, emphasizing their IFR status and type of aircraft, and continue to fly the approach as published while making standard position report calls as stated above. IFR aircraft should avoid climbing into the stack and should continue to follow their ATC clearance until IFR services are terminated.

When IFR aircraft are heard on 122.7, VFR aircraft at the top of the stack are advised to announce, “IFR inbound aircraft. All traffic at 5,000 feet and below vacate the stack.” VFR aircraft at and below 5,000 feet are encouraged to maintain their current altitude and fly away from TFD and away from inbound IFR traffic. VFR aircraft at approach altitude may continue the approach if there is sufficient space with IFR aircraft in trail. Once the IFR aircraft commences the approach, VFR aircraft that had exited the stack may re-enter the hold and resume normal stack operations.

IFR aircraft intending on canceling IFR services prior to entering the TFD stack area, intending on conducting a full stop IFR approach and landing, or conducting an IFR approach and canceling on the missed should make those
intentions clear when making the initial approach request with Albuquerque Center. Due to the volume and
complexity of VFR training operations in this area, the use of IFR training flights to/from KCGZ in VMC or the use of pop-up IFR flight plans to ‘shortcut’ the VFR stack procedures is not recommended.

For in-depth local practices and procedures please visit: https://aftw.org/stanfield-vor-procedures/

Air Traffic Manager, FAA Albuquerque ARTCC
Page