National Air Traffic Controllers Association

Van Nuys Tower

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How can I visit the Tower?

A. Call the tower at 818-904-6166 during business hours to schedule an appointment.

 

Q. Should I use an intersection number in my transmissions?

A. Yes, it tells the controller exactly where you are on the airport. Each intersecting taxiway has a discreet number. He has alot of things to look at in the cab, in the air, and on the airport. It helps to prevent any runway incursions that could occur if you say you are holding short of 16L when you are at 16R, for example.

 

Q. Does the tower have RADAR?

A. The tower has a D-BRITE, which is a presentation of the radar at SO-CAL TRACON. It shows the area around Van Nuys Airport for approximately ten miles. When an aircraft is assigned a discrete code, a data block for that aircraft is assigned by the computer.

 

Q. What does a controller see on the D-BRITE?

A. There is a picture of the screen on the home page. The squares are reporting points. The dotted lines are freeways. The dashed lines are the approaches. The large circle is the VNY VOR. The upside down V's are mountain peaks.

 

Q. How many controllers work the traffic?

A. The following positions are used, depending on traffic volume, at the tower:

  1. Local Control 1 (119.3) west

  2. Local Control 2 (120.2) east

  3. Local Control Assist

  4. Ground Control (121.7)

  5. Helicopter Control (119.0)

  6. Flight Data / Clearance Delivery (126.6)

 

Q. Do controllers work more than one position?

A. Yes, positions are sometimes combined during periods of lighter traffic. Sometimes when you do not get an immediate response, be patient, the controller may be listening to someone on another frequency. Local 1 & 2 can be combined. Ground and Helicopter can be combined. Flight Data and Clearance is usually always combined.

 

Q. What is a controller's work schedule at Van Nuys Tower?

A. He starts work at a different time each day. His first work day is usually a swing shift. Each day his shift is a little earlier. His last work day is usually an early day shift.

 

Q. What is the pay classification of the tower?

A. ATC-9

 

Q. Does the tower have an elevator?

A. Yes

 

Q. What is the tower address?

A. 7550 Hayvenhurst Place, Van Nuys, CA., 91406

 

Q. How do I get to the tower?

A. Go to Van Nuys Airport. Proceed to the west side of the airport. Go to the intersection of Hayvenhurst Ave & Saticoy. Proceed eastbound on Saticoy. Turn right (south) when Saticoy ends. You will see the tower from there.

Maps by Expedia.com Travel

 

Q. Can I get class C service to SMO?

A. We are so close to SMO that we do not tag your aircraft.

 

Q. Can I get class C service through the VFR corridor?

A. Follow the instructions on your chart for the corridor.

 

Q. What class C clearance can I expect departing 16 headed eastbound?

A. Fly straight out till abeam the Encino Resivor. Left turn to Griffith Park Observatory. Contact SOCAL 124.6 prior to entering class C. SQUAWK xxxx.

 

Q. Why are downwind 16 departures restricted to 2500 till norht of the field?

A. To provide sepatation with BUR ILS approaches crossing over VNY at 3000. The BUR ILS approaches continue their decent east of VNY, which is the reason for the lower pattern altitude (1800) on the east side of VNY.

 

Q. What are the SOCAL frequencies around VNY?

A. West = 134.2; East = 124.6; North = 120.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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