In accordance with FAA policy, Providence ATCT will, to the extent possible, keep IFR high performance aircraft arriving at PVD as high as possible as long as possible.  This program is designed to provide noise relief to our airport neighbors as well as reduce the number of high performance aircraft that are exposed to uncontrolled aircraft.  The largest concentration of aircraft occurs within a 15 nautical mile (NM) radius of PVD up to and including 4,000 feet above the surface of the airport.

A high performance aircraft is defined as a turboprop aircraft weighing more than 12,500 pounds and all turbojets.  If feasible, high performance aircraft will maintain 5,000 feet MSL or higher until further descent is required.  This will normally be until abeam the airport on a downwind leg or no further than a 22 NM radius from the airport, within a 45-degree arc either side of the final approach course for the runway in use.

Attached is a diagram of the descent area for each runway at PVD.  These procedures have been established for instrument approaches, but work equally well for aircraft operating in VFR conditions.

Inquiries or information relative to the above should be directed to the address in the above letterhead or telephone (401) 734-2800.