What is an LRAC?

zerocoolak Newcomer

I know what LRAC stands for, but I am looking for a more specific definition of the responsibilities of a controller working in one. Does a controller working in an LRAC need RTF?

FL_CTI Senior Member Somewhere in my little corner of the world

Limited Radar Approach Control?????

If this is what I think it is, I believe that certain towers have the capability to vector aircraft into and out of their airspace. I would think this responsibility falls on the Local Controller of that tower. I only know something about this because my hometown airport (FLL) up until a few years ago had something like this, but I know nothing about the procedures governing it.

I could be, and probably am, very wrong about this. I'll let one of the paid professionals on the site tell me I'm right or call BS on my explanation.

zerocoolak Newcomer

My question stems from what services I have been told by management that I am able to apply to aircraft as a tower controller. ANC is classified as an LRAC facility. I was always told that since we are an LRAC that I can provide radar separation/services outside of what other non approach control towers can apply. I dont want this to get into a discussion of wether I can or cannot use the tower displays for seperation. I've read those and they were very informative but I dont really want to reopen that can of worms. ANC is a very compilcated airspace. On one side of the tower we work Anchorage international which is the 5th busiest cargo port in the world and on the other we work Lake hood (LHD) which is the busiest seaplane base in the world doing upwards of 1400 vfr ops a day in the summer just on the class delta side at LHD with some hours being 100 ops or more. Needless to say, ANC gets very busy in the summer with everything from cubs to 747's. I would really like to know if there are any other LRAC controllers out there and if I should be getting RTF to get a proper understanding of radar services to pilots. I have a pretty good understanding of the radar section in the .65 because of this, but am I legally supposed to be applying these radar rules to vector aircraft in, out and through my airspace? We also have a few small uncontrolled serfaces off of ANC/LHD but within or very close to the class C/D airspace that we vector and clear aircraft to and from. I always assumed these were normal tower functions, but after reading sections in the .65 like 3-1-9 (i think that's the one) and the enrollement in RTF section in the 3120.4 I am unsure. Any info would be great!

Roddy_Piper Resident Knucklehead Vegas baby

Las Vegas tower (LAS) is an LRAC. most big towers are LRACs. they can provide separation using the radar. they can also identify aircraft, vector, and generally provide radar services in a tower environment.

the LAS controllers do NOT go to RTF. however, that wouldn't be a bad idea except that it costs money to send you guys to RTF.

zerocoolak Newcomer

That's the answer I was looking for. i questioned having no RTF after reading the 3120.4m requirements for RTF. It led me to believe that RTF may be needed at an LRAC.