Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) controls all aircraft movements in the air and on the taxiways and runways of the airport.
FAA Responsibilities
In Reno, there are two local FAA offices: the Reno Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) and the Reno Flight Standards District Office (FSDO).
The FAA has several major responsibilities related to:
- Civil aviation regulation
- Civil aeronautics and new technology development
- Air traffic control and navigation operations
- The National Airspace System
- Control measures for aircraft noise and other environmental impacts
- U.S. commercial space transportation regulation
- Additional information on the FAA can be found here
Reno Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT)
Air Traffic Control (ATC) is provided by ground-based FAA controllers whose primary responsibilities include:
- Separation of aircraft (air and ground)
- Flow of Traffic (air and ground)
- Information and support for pilots (e.g. weather, navigational assistance, Notices to Airmen)
The Reno ATC can answer questions or concerns regarding:
- Flight tracks
- Traffic flow
- Individual aircraft operations in Reno airspace
- FAA Noise
- The FAA strives to reduce noise in ways within its purview, including conducting noise research and working with aviation stakeholders and local communities.
Reno Flight Standards District Office (FSDO)
A FSDO is a regional FAA facility primarily focused on enforcing United States Federal Aviation Regulations.
The service area for the Reno FSDO can be viewed here.
The Reno FSDO can answer questions or concerns regarding:
- Accident reporting
- Air carrier certification and operations
- Aircraft maintenance
- Aircraft operational issues
- Aircraft permits
- Airmen certifications
- Enforcement of airmen and aircraft regulations
FAA Airspace Flight Procedures
In order to comply with magnetic variation (MagVar) changes for the runways at Reno-Tahoe International Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reviewed airspace flight procedures to be affected by the proposed MagVar changes. During their review, the FAA identified several procedures that warranted amendment, cancellation, or creation primarily to enhance operational safety and efficiency by modernizing procedures, improving connectivity between arrival and approach procedures, and amending altitudes to assist in ensuring separation per Air Traffic Control (ATC) request.
Effective November 3, 2022, the FAA will eliminate four (4) arrival procedures and three (3) departure procedures. Four (4) existing arrival procedures and fourteen (14) approach procedures will be amended. And, the FAA will establish three (3) new arrival procedures, one (1) new departure procedure, and two (2) new approach procedures. The FAA has provided an informational handout regarding these changes, and it has been posted here. The FAA has provided a website, an email address, and a phone number for questions or concerns about the procedure changes. These changes will be discussed at the December 15, 2022 Airport Sustainability Advisory Committee meeting.