ZME–MEM Letter of Agreement
Responsibilities
Section titled “Responsibilities”Memphis ARTCC (ZME) delegates to Memphis ATC Tower (ATCT) authority and responsibility for control of IFR aircraft operations within the terminal area depicted on Attachment 1. The Center and TRACON shall transition arrivals and departures via the STARs and SIDs depicted on Attachment 1.
Transfer of control shall be accomplished at the TCP depicted on Attachment 1, at or below 16,000 ft.
Arrivals
Section titled “Arrivals”Memphis International (KMEM) Arrivals
Section titled “Memphis International (KMEM) Arrivals”| Aircraft Type | Routing | TCP Altitude |
|---|---|---|
| Turbojet | Cleared to MEM and established/descending via appropriate STAR | Established and descending via STAR |
| Turboprop | Cleared direct to RNAV arrival fixes (BRBBQ, BLUZZ, VANZE, or HOBRK), then direct MEM | 8,000 ft ¹ |
| Prop | Cleared direct MEM | 4,000 or 6,000 ft |
¹ HLI arrivals transitioning under the Columbus 1 or 3 MOA shall cross the TCP at 6,000 or 8,000 ft.
Center shall ensure miles-in-trail restrictions for like-type aircraft are accomplished at or prior to the TCP.
Satellite Arrivals (2M8, 7M4, M04, MO1, OLV, AWM, FCY, PMU, M41, FYE, NQA, UTA)
Section titled “Satellite Arrivals (2M8, 7M4, M04, MO1, OLV, AWM, FCY, PMU, M41, FYE, NQA, UTA)”| Aircraft Type | Routing | TCP Altitude |
|---|---|---|
| Turbojet | Direct destination | 9,000 ft |
| Turboprop | Direct destination | 8,000 ft |
| Prop | Direct destination | 4,000 or 6,000 ft |
Memphis ARTCC shall release control for turns and descent upon communication change for all satellite arrivals.
Holding
Section titled “Holding”In the event holding is anticipated, TRACON will notify the Center’s Traffic Management Unit (TMU). Unanticipated holding shall be coordinated directly with the sector concerned; the TMU shall be notified as soon as possible.
Night Operations (0100–0645 LCL)
Section titled “Night Operations (0100–0645 LCL)”Between 0100 and 0645 LCL, Center shall clear all aircraft direct to their destination airport, descending to:
- Turbojets: 10,000 ft
- Turboprops: 8,000 ft
- Props: 4,000 or 6,000 ft
Either Center or TRACON may implement or rescind these procedures as operations dictate.
Departures
Section titled “Departures”| Who | Aircraft Type | Initial Altitude | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATCT | Turbojet | 16,000 ft or requested (lower) | Expect requested altitude +10 min |
| TRACON | Turboprop / Prop | 14,000 ft or requested (lower) | Expect requested altitude +10 min; TRACON releases control for climb to filed altitude |
Routing Out of M03
Section titled “Routing Out of M03”TRACON shall ensure all MEM/Satellite departures exit M03 airspace as follows:
- MEM departures filed at 9,000 ft or above: Established on the ELVIS/RNAV SID prior to the TCP, or in the case of an RNAV departure, cleared to intercept the SID at the waypoint closest to the TRACON boundary.
- Satellite airport departures filed at 9,000 ft or above: Established on the radial of the overlying ELVIS SID.
- All departures filed at 8,000 ft or below: Cleared on course.
Additional Departure Rules
Section titled “Additional Departure Rules”- ATCT shall provide at least 5 NM separation (constant or increasing) between departures and/or enroute aircraft entering ARTCC airspace at the same altitude.
- ATCT shall release departures at 13,000 ft or above for turns toward the next filed fix or route.
- ATCT shall keep ARTCC advised of the active runways at Memphis International.
Night Operations (0100–0645 LCL)
Section titled “Night Operations (0100–0645 LCL)”- MEM/Satellite departures may utilize time-restricted SIDs/routes (DPs published as restricted to 0200–0600) without coordination.
- Aircraft airborne prior to 0615 LCL that will cross the TCP after 0615 LCL may continue on time-restricted SIDs/routes without further coordination.
Overflights
Section titled “Overflights”Overflights shall be via routes/altitudes as filed.
Miscellaneous
Section titled “Miscellaneous”- Calm wind runways: 36C and 36L. Runway 27 may be used on request for FedEx north ramp aircraft or GA (especially Wilson Air).
- During special events at KUOX and after coordination between Center and TRACON, TRACON may release the airspace south of V54 at 7,000 and below to Memphis Center Columbus Low Sector.
Attachment 1 — SIDs
Section titled “Attachment 1 — SIDs”