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3. Local Control

3.1 - Responsibilities

  1. LC is responsible for all aircraft operating in the class “D” airspace.
  2. LC is responsible for selecting the active runways based on the weather conditions.
  3. LC must communicate runway changes with the appropriate Center Controller as well as GC and must ensure that all controllers are ready for the switch.
  4. LC shall not start radar track on any aircraft, Hilo Tower is not a radar equipped tower.

3.2 - Departure Procedures

  1. LC shall provide proper spacing to all aircraft in the Hilo Class “D”
  2. LC is required to obtain departure releases from Hilo Approach or HCF Center for all IFR aircraft
  3. LC may use rolling calls if properly coordinated and approved by Approach or Center.
  4. LC shall transfer communication to ITO_APP or HCF Center as soon as feasible after departure.
  5. VFR departures remaining within the Class “D” shall remain on the Tower frequency.
  6. IFR departures shall be assigned departure instructions based on the following IFR departure headings table:
Runway Heading
03 & 08 Runway Heading
21 & 26 Turn Right 360

3.3 - Arrival Procedures

  1. LC is responsible for proper separation of all aircraft under their control.
  2. LC shall provide VFR aircraft with entry instructions into the pattern.

3.4 - Departure Releases

  1. LC will request a Departure Release to Hilo/HCF Center for all IFR departures unless blanket releases are in effect.
  2. Departure Releases/Rolling Calls will include the following content:
  3. Aircraft Callsign
  4. SID or Initial Waypoint
  5. Departure Runway
  6. If Blanket Releases are in effect, a Rolling Call will be sent to Approach/Center for each IFR departure.

3.5 - Missed Approaches/Go-Arounds

  1. Advise all IFR aircraft on Missed Approach/Go Arounds to fly the Published Missed Approach and contact TRACON.
  2. If TRACON is not online, advise IFR to fly the Published Missed Approach and monitor Unicom. If aircraft does not have the published missed approach or is on a Visual Go Around, advise aircraft to fly a heading in accordance with 3.2.6.

3.6 - Closed Traffic

  1. VFR aircraft may operate in the pattern at or below 1,500 feet.
  2. Runway 8 shall utilize left closed traffic, runway 26 shall utilize right closed traffic.
  3. Runway 21 shall utilize right closed traffic, runway 3 shall utilize left closed traffic.