Welcome to the Los Angeles International Airport SOP.
This manual provides guidelines for the control of air traffic at the Los Angeles Tower. All air traffic personnel are required to be familiar with its contents. These procedures supplement the Air Traffic Control Handbook, Order 7110.65, and the Facility Operation and Administration Handbook, Order 7210.3. If you encounter a situation not covered in this manual, utilize your best judgment and bring the situation to the attention of the ARTCC manager.
The following links provide information relating to the Los Angeles International Airport. This includes, but is not limited to:
Links:
Control positions
Position | Frequency | FRA |
---|---|---|
KLAX_DEL | 120.35 MHz |
Ensure all filed flight plans comply with the procedures in this document.
Aircraft departing Los Angeles International airport IFR shall be assigned a SID and Transition.
SID name | Pronounciation | Transition | Aircraft type | Runways | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
SXC# RV | Catalina | All | 06L/R, 07L/R | S / SW Departure, East Ops | |
CHATY# RV | Chatty | GMN HENER KWANG RZ5 | Non-Turbojet | 06L/R, 07L/R | N / NW Departures, East Ops |
DARRK# RNAV | Dark | DINTY MCKEY RIZIN SCTRR STOKD | Jet | 24L/R, 25L/R | N / NW Departures |
DOTSS# RNAV | Dots | CLEE CNERY | Jet | 24L/R, 25L/R | E Departures |
GARDY# RNAV RV | Gardy | BEALE HAILO LAS MISEN NNAVY | Turboprop/TurboJet | 06L/R, 07L/R | E Departure, East Ops |
GMN# RV | Gorman | AVE EHF | Turboprop/Turbojet | All | N Departures |
LADYJ# RNAV | Lady Jay | COREZ CSTRO | Jet | 24L/R, 25L/R | N Departures |
LAXX# RV | Lacks | IPL MZB OCN ROSIN TRM | Jet | All | S / SE Departures |
MOOOS# RNAV RV | Moose | IKAYE | Turboprop | 24L/R, 25L/R | NW Departures |
MUELR# RNAV | Muller | KWANG RZS | Jet | 24L/R, 25L/R | NW Departures |
ORCKA# RNAV RV | Orca | BEALE HAILPO LAS MISEN YELAH | All | 24L/R, 25L/R | NE Departures |
OSHNN# RNAV | Ocean | BEALE MISEN | All | 24L/R, 25L/R | NE Departures, If unable ORCKA |
PERCH# RV | Perch | DINTY FICKY | All | All | W Over Ocean Departures |
PNDAH# RNAV | Panda | OTAYY TCATE | Jet | 24L/R, 25L/R | SE Departures |
SLI# RV | Seal Beach | Non-Turbojet | All | E Departures | |
SEBBY# RV | Sebby | DAG | All | 24L/R, 25L/R | NE Departures |
SKWRL# RNAV RV | Squirrel | GMN VALEY | Turboprop | 24L/R, 25L/R | NW Departures |
SUMMR# RNAV | Summer | DINTY FICKY MCKEY RIZIN SCTRR STOKD | Jet | 24L/R, 25L/R | N / S Departures |
TRTON# RNAV RV | Triton | DINTY FICKY MCKEY SCTRR STOKD | Jet | 06L/R, 07L/R | N / S Departures, East Ops |
VTU# RV | Ventura | DINTY RZS | All | All | NW / Oceananic Departures |
WNNDY# RNAV RV | Windy | COREZ CSTRO | Jet | 06L/R, 07L/R | N Departures, East Ops |
ZILLI# RNAV | Zilly | FICKY GROGU | All | 24L/R, 25L/R | W Departures |
Expect filed altitude 5 minutes after departure.
Operations | Departure | Altitude |
---|---|---|
West/Over Ocean | SKWRL | 3000 |
West/Over Ocean | MOOOS | 3000 |
West/Over Ocean | All other | 5000 |
East | Gardy | 3000 |
East | All others | 3000 |
Southern California TRACON and Las Vegas (L30) TRACON have a Letter of Agreement detailing required routes between SOCAL and L30:
Maximum altitude FL290, lower is acceptable. Higher available only on pilot request Enroute.
Operations | Type | Class | Route | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
West | RNAV | J | ORCKA#.MISEN.RNDRZ# | If unable ORCKA, then OSHNN |
West | Non-RNAV | J | SEBBY#.DAG.LARKK# | |
Over Ocean | RNAV | J | OSHNN#.MISEN.RNDRZ# | |
Over Ocean | Non-RNAV | J | SEBBY#.DAG.LARKK# | |
East | RNAV | J | GARDY#.MISEN.RNDRZ# | |
East | Non-RNAV | J | Vectors DAG.LARKK# |
The FAA has created a set of routes used for aircraft flying between most Southern California Airports. These are called Tower Enroute Control (TEC) Routes. If a TEC route is available between two airports, aircraft are required to be routed via that TEC route for the given airport configuration, altitude, and aircraft type.
Appropriate TEC routes should always be filed unless in conflict with this document. Only clear the pilot using the name of the TEC route if a TEC route (not necessarily the same one) was filed/requested, otherwise expand the TEC route and issue it as a full-route clearance.
An example clearance for a J-CLASS aircraft using the named TEC route "LAXP11" (KLAX->KSAN ) would be:
Cleared to the San Diego airport, via the LOS ANGELES PAPA ONE ONE routing, maintain 5,000, expect 13,000 ft 5 minutes after departure ...
The pilot would then fly the route: LAXX1 MZB
TEC routes are available at FAA NFDC Preferred Routes Database
Los Angeles International airport is surrounded by class B airspace. Aircraft entering class B airspace VFR require a clearance in accordance with 7110.65 Chapter 7, section 9.
All VFR aircraft departing Los Angeles Class B airspace shall be issued the appropriate clearance for direction of flight:
Operations | Direction | Scratchpad | Clearance |
---|---|---|---|
West | North | BN | Cleared out of the Los Angeles Class Bravo to the North. On departure, fly heading 250 until turning right at the shoreline. Maintain VFR at or below 3000 feet until clear of Bravo airspace. Departure frequency xxx.xx, Squawk 1200. |
West | South | BS | Cleared out of the Los Angeles Class Bravo to the South. On departure, fly heading 250 until turning left at the shoreline. Maintain VFR at or below 3000 feet until clear of Bravo airspace. Departure frequency xxx.xx, Squawk 1200. |
East | North | BN | Cleared out of the Los Angeles Class Bravo to the North. On departure, fly runway heading then turn left over the end of the runway. Maintain VFR at or below 3000 feet until clear of Bravo airspace. Departure frequency xxx.xx, Squawk 1200. |
East | South | BS | Cleared out of the Los Angeles Class Bravo to the South. On departure, fly runway heading then turn right over the end of the runway. Maintain VFR at or below 3000 feet until clear of Bravo airspace. Departure frequency xxx.xx, Squawk 1200. |
Operations | Direction | Scratchpad | Clearance |
---|---|---|---|
West | North | H250N | Cleared out of the Los Angeles Class Bravo to the North. On departure, fly heading 250 for vectors out of Los Angeles airspace. Maintain VFR at or below 3000 feet until clear of the Bravo. Departure frequency XXX, squawk XXXX. |
West | South | H250S | Cleared out of the Los Angeles Class Bravo to the South. On departure, fly heading 250 for vectors out of Los Angeles airspace. Maintain VFR at or below 3000 feet until clear of the Bravo. Departure frequency XXX, squawk XXX. |
East | North | H070N | Cleared out of the Los Angeles Class Bravo to the North. On departure, fly heading 070 for vectors out of Los Angeles airspace. Maintain VFR at or below 3000 feet until clear of the Bravo.. Departure frequency XXX, squawk XXXX. |
East | South | H070S | Cleared out of the Los Angeles Class Bravo to the South. On departure, fly heading 070 for vectors out of Los Angeles airspace. Maintain VFR at or below 3000 feet until clear of the Bravo. Departure frequency XXX, squawk XXXX. |
When (per the current ATIS) the cloud ceiling is at least 3000ft AND the visibility is at least 5nmi, issue the appropriate clearance for direction of flight.
Operations | Direction | Scratchpad | Clearance |
---|---|---|---|
West | North | BNH | Cleared out of the Los Angeles Class Bravo via the Sepulveda route Northbound. Maintain VFR at 2000 feet while in Bravo airspace. Departure frequency XXX, squawk 1200. |
West | South | BSH | Cleared out of the Los Angeles Class Bravo via the Sepulveda route Southbound. Maintain VFR at 2000 feet while in Bravo airspace. Departure frequency XXX, squawk 1200. |
East | North | BNH | Cleared out of the Los Angeles Class Bravo via the Lincoln route Northbound. Maintain VFR at 2000 feet while in Bravo airspace. Departure frequency XXX, squawk 1200. |
East | South | BSH | Cleared out of the Los Angeles Class Bravo via the Lincoln route Southbound. Maintain VFR at 2000 feet while in Bravo airspace. Departure frequency XXX, squawk 1200. |
When (per the current ATIS) the weather is VFR but doesn’t meet the conditions above, all helicopters must depart under a preemptive SVFR clearance via the Lincoln route Southbound.
If a ground or tower controller is online, coordinate with them before issuing a VFR pattern clearance to ascertain which runway is in use and any additional requirements they may have (such as squawk codes or position reporting requirements).
Runway | Direction |
---|---|
24R | Right |
25L | Left |
An example traffic pattern clearance for fixed-wing class-P aircraft on runway 24R may read:
Cleared to operate within the Los Angeles class Bravo airspace. Maintain VFR North of runway 24R at or below 1500ft. Pattern altitude 1200ft, right traffic. Squawk 1200.
Special VFR operations are prohibited at Los Angeles International Airport.
Non-engine aircraft (gliders, sailplanes, etc.) are prohibited at Los Angeles International Airport.
Control positions
Position | Frequency | FRA |
---|---|---|
KLAX_GND | 121.750 MHz |
Ground control owns all movement areas (including closed runways) except the taxiways located between runway 25L/R and between 24L/R. Pushback from the West side of TBIT onto taxiway K or from the domestic gates onto D or C requires clearance from ground control, but taxiways C6, C7, C8, C9, C10, D7, D8, D9, and D10 may be pushed back onto at the pilot’s discretion after receiving IFR/VFR clearance from the appropriate controller so long as the pilot can be reasonably assured that they will not collide with any other aircraft, building, or ground personnel and monitors the frequency of the appropriate controller. If the position is split, KLAX_N_GND controls E, D, N, P, AA, and the taxiways adjoining E to runway 24L (E6, E7, V south of 24L, etc.).
Aircraft with length greater than 240 feet are prohibited on Taxilanes C-7, C-8 and C-9 between Taxilane C and Twy B.
West Operations
Over-Ocean Operations
East Operations
If closed traffic/pattern work is requested, coordinate with the Tower controller (if online) before issuing taxi instructions. If no tower/approach controller is online, then after taxi and before takeoff issue the following:
Tower control services unavailable. Report pattern legs on advisory frequency 122.8. Takeoff at own risk. Good day.
Control positions
Position | Frequency | FRA |
---|---|---|
KLAX_S_TWR | 120.950 MHz | |
KLAX_N_TWR | 133.900 MHz |
When only one tower controller is online, KLAX_S_TWR shall serve as the primary position.
Airport
Local Control owns all active runways, the taxiways located between runway 25L/R, the taxiways located between 24L/R, and the airspace as depicted in the image below. The airspace ceiling is 2500ft MSL over the airport and 1000ft MSL along the shore and east of the field until DOWNE/MERCE. When local control is split, KLAX_N_TWR assumes control for runways 24L/R, all taxiways between runways 24L/R, and all aircraft departing from or landing into runways 24L/R. In addition, KLAX_N_TWR assumes responsibility for VFR traffic in the North pattern or transiting KLAX airspace via the Mini Route Southbound.
Select the most suitable runway configuration based on prevailing weather conditions. During wind conditions less than 10kt Tailwind, West operations shall be used.
Designator | Dimensions | Pattern Direction |
---|---|---|
24L | 10885 x 150 | NA |
24R | 8926 x 150 | right |
25L | 11095 x 200 | left |
25R | 12923 x 150 | NA |
Designator | Dimensions | Pattern Direction |
---|---|---|
06L | 8926 x 150 | left |
06R | 10885 x 150 | NA |
07L | 12923 x 150 | NA |
07R | 11095 x 200 | right |
Designator | Dimensions | Pattern Direction |
---|---|---|
06L | 8926 x 150 | left |
06R | 10885 x 150 | NA |
07L | 12923 x 150 | NA |
07R | 11095 x 200 | right |
Climb and maintain 5000ft Turn (Left / Right) (heading) or maintain runway heading
Runway | Heading |
---|---|
24R | Runway heading |
25L | Left 220° |
06L | Runway heading |
07R | Right 100° |
06R | Runway heading |
LAX has a waiver in place that permits target-resolution separation between aircraft departing from either of 24L/R and either of 25L/R until standard separation is established following the first turn so long as three conditions are met:
AAL1234, winds 240 at 10, RNAV DOCKR, runway 25R, cleared for takeoff.
There are five options for VFR aircraft wishing to transition from one side of the Los Angeles Bravo airspace to the other: four controlled Bravo transition routes and the Los Angeles Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA). Out of these routes, the SFRA is preferred as it reduces the workload on the controller. These routes are defined in order of preference as follows:
Direction | Route |
---|---|
Northbound | Pilots are expected to be established on the LAX 123-degree radial before calling SoCal for a Bravo clearance over the Vincent-Thomas Bridge (VPLVT). After crossing the LAX VOR, turn right to proceed outbound on the LAX 323-degree radial until exiting the LAX class Bravo. |
Southbound | Pilots are expected to be established on the LAX 323-degree radial before calling SoCal for a Bravo clearance abeam the Sepulveda Pass. After crossing the LAX VOR, turn left to proceed outbound on the LAX 123-degree radial until exiting the LAX class Bravo near the Vincent-Thomas Bridge (VPLVT). |
Direction | Route |
---|---|
Northbound | Contact KHHR_TWR to be identified and sequenced. KHHR_TWR will hand traffic off to KLAX_TWR for a Bravo clearance over the Hawthorne ramp of the 405 freeway. Proceed direct SMO along the 128-degree radial at 2500ft until past Loyola Marymount University (LMU). |
Southbound | Join the SMO 128-degree radial over the VOR (GPS: SMO direct VPLSR) level at 2500 ft. Contact KSMO_TWR to be identified and sequenced. KSMO_TWR will hand traffic off to KLAX_TWR for a Bravo clearance before crossing Loyola Marymount University (LMU). Proceed along the SMO 128-degree radial at 2500ft until reaching the Hawthorne ramp of the 405 freeway. |
Direction | Route |
---|---|
Northbound | Enter the Bravo established on V23 until intersecting and following the VNY 125-degree radial over SLI. Remain on the radial until clear of the Bravo. |
Southbound | Enter the Bravo established on the VNY 125-degree radial until reaching SLI, then follow V23 until exiting the airspace. |
Control position
Position | Frequency | FRA |
---|---|---|
KLAX_APP | 124.30 MHz |
Southern California TRACON (Los Angeles) is a TRACON responsible for the airspace from the surface to 13,000 feet.
KLAX_APP is referred to either as “SoCal” or as the “Southern California TRACON” and the position as a whole should not be referred to by controllers as “SoCal Approach” as this would (incorrectly) imply the existence of a KLAX_DEP position.
“SoCal Approach” or “SoCal Departure” may be used by pilots to refer to a SoCal controller while radar approach or departure services (as appropriate) are being provided, but these labels are not intrinsic to the position and (for example) the same controller may be referred to by three different pilots on the same frequency as “SoCal”, “SoCal Approach”, and “SoCal Departure” depending on the services being received and the personal preferences of the pilots.
Pilots should endeavor to use “SoCal” as the radiotelephony callsign for the station whenever possible.
Typical departure clearance after takeoff:
Radar Contact, Climb and maintain One-Five Thousand Feet
KLAX_APP will then hand off traffic no later than 13,000 feet to Los Angeles Center (KZLA) or UNICOM.
KLAX_APP maintaints a shelf over KONT_APP where they overlap as follows:
KONT_APP online:
KLAX_APP is responsible for the airspace 7,000 to 13,000
KONT_APP offline:
KLAX_APP is responsible for the airspace 3,000 to 13,000
Los Angeles International Airport
STAR name | Pronounciation | Transition | Approach | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
ANJLL# RNAV | Angel | CGNEY DNERO HAKMN OTOOL SALYY SHTNR | ILS25L | NE Arrivals |
BASET# | Basset | HEC JLI PGS TNP TANDY | RNAVZ 06L | E / NE Arrivals, East Ops |
BAYST# RNAV | Bay Street | BURGL CERNL FRASR HULL MUPTT REBRG RYDRR SNAXX | ILS 25L | NW / W Arrivals, Turbojet |
BIGBR# RNAV | Big Bear | CGNY DNERO HAKMAN OTOOL SALYY SHTNR | RNAVZ 07R | NE Arrivals, Turnojet, East Ops |
BOGET# RNAV | Bodget | BUGGA NEEDLES KREME PURSE WELUM WNCHL | RNAVZ 24R | E Arrivals,Turbojet |
BRUEN# RNAV | Bruen | ESTWD FNNDA GABBL MDLER | RNAVZ 07R | E Arrivals, Turbojet, East Ops |
DIRBY# RNAV | Derby | RDHOT TILLT | ILS 25L | N Arrivals, Turbojet |
GOATZ# RNAV | Goats | FICKY | ILS 25L | W Arrivals, Turbojet |
HLYWD# RNAV | Hollywood | ESTWD FNNDA GABBL MDLER | ILS 25L | E Arrivals Turbojet |
HUULL# RNAV | Hull | TOKIO | RNAVZ 24R | NW Arrivals, Turbojet |
IRNMN# RNAV | Ironman | BURGL GRASR MUPTT REBURG | RNAVZ 24R | NW Arrivals |
KIMMO# | Chemo | LHS PMD EHF TTE | RNAVZ 24R | Non-Turbojets |
LEENA# | Lena | FICKY MCKEY | ILS 25L | NE Arrivals |
MDNYT# RNAV | Midnight | AMMOR CGNEY DNERO ESTWD FNNDA GABBL HAKMN MDLER OTOOL SHTNR | RNAVZ 06R | NE/E/SE Arrivals, Over-Ocean Ops |
MOOR# | Moorpark | AVE BERBB DINTY | RNAVZ 06L | NW Arrivals, East Ops |
OCEAN# | Ocean | JLI SXC | RNAVZ 06L | SE Arrivals, East Ops |
OLAAA# RNAV | ¡Hola! | AMMOR | ILS 25L | SE Arrivals |
RYDRR# RNAV | Rider | CERNL EESSA ELKEY SNAXX | RNAVZ 24R | W Arrivals, Turbojet/Turboprop |
SADDE# | Sadie | AVE DERBB DINTY ELKEY FIL PMD RZS VTU | RNAVZ 24R | N Arrivals |
SEAVU# RNAV | Sea View | TNP | ILS 25L | E Arrivals |
SNSTT# RNAV | Sunset | AMMOR | ILS 25L | N Arrivals |
VISTA# | Vista | JLI | ILS 25L | SE Arrivals |
WAYVE# RNAV | Wavey | LHS LOPES EHF TTE | RNAVZ 24R | N Arrivals, Non-Turbojet |
ZUUMA# RNAV | Zoo-ma | BURGL REBURG | RNAVZ 06L | N Arrivals, Turbojet, East Ops |
Runway | IAP | IAF | IF | FAF |
---|---|---|---|---|
06L | ILS or LOC | WAKER EXERT CLVVR | NATHN | ALISN |
" | RNAV Z | WAKER EXERT SASSI | NATHN | ALISN |
" | RNAV Y | WAKER EXERT | NATHN | ALISN |
06R | ILS or LOC | WAKER EXERT | OTTES | GUPPI |
" | RNAV Z | WAKER EXERT SASSI | OTTES | GUPPI |
" | RNAV Y | WAKER EXERT | OTTES | GUPPI |
07R | ILS or LOC | WAKER EXERT JJONN | TIMSE | FUMBL |
" | RNAV Z | WAKER EXERT | TIMSE WNDFL | FUMBL |
" | RNAV Y | WAKER EXERT | TIMSE | FUMBL |
24L | ILS or LOC | CRCUS SEAVU FNESE | JULLI | SUTIE |
" | RNAV Z | CRCUS SEAVU FNESE | JULLI TRNDO | SUTIE |
" | RNAV Y | CRCUS SEAVU FNESE | JULLI | SUTIE |
24R | ILS or LOC | CRCUS SEAVU LIVVN | MERCE | KOBEE |
" | RNAV Z | CRCUS SEAVU LIVVN DARTS | DAHJR VAALE TRNDO MERCE | KOBEE |
" | RNAV Y | CRCUS SEAVU LIVVN | MERCE | KOBEE |
25L | ILS or LOC | CRCUS SEAVU GAATE CLPUR TRNDO | HUNDA | GIGII |
" | RNAV Z | CRCUS SEAVU CLPUR TRNDO | GAATE | GIGII |
" | RNAV Y | CRCUS SEAVU CLPUR TRNDO GAATE | HUNDA | GIGII |
25R | ILS or LOC | CRCUS SEAVU CLPUR FALLT TRNDO | SHELL | FOGLA |
" | RNAV Z | CRCUS SEAVU CLPUR | FALLT | FOGLA |
" | RNAV Y | CRCUS SEAVU CLPUR FALLT TRNDO | SHELL | FOGLA |
Santa Monica Municipal Airport
STAR name | Pronounciation | Transition | Approach |
---|---|---|---|
BOGET# RNAV | Bodget | BUGGA EED KREME PURSE WELLUM WNCHL | RNAV 21 |
BONJO# RNAV | Bon-Joe | HIHWY HONZK PRPLE RDHOT REBURG | RV RNAV 21 |
FERN# | Fernando | AVE DERBB FLW OHIGH | VOR-A (03/21) |
KIMMO# | Chemo | LHS PMD EHF TTE | RNAV 21 |
THRNE# RNAV | Thrine | PHRED | RV RNAV 21 |
WAYVE# RNAV | Wavy | lLHS LOPES EHF TTE | RV RNAV 21 |
ZUUMA# RNAV | Zoo-Ma | BURGL REBRG | RNAVZ 03 |
Runway | IAP | IAF | IF | FAF |
---|---|---|---|---|
21 | RNAV (GPS) | DARTS | MOVVE | |
03 | RNAV Y | WAKER | NATHN | THACH |
" | RNAV Z | WAKER | RNSTO | RGBEE |
03/21 | VOR-A | ELMOO | DARTS | BEVEY |
Jack Northrop Field/Hawthorne Municipal Airport
STAR name | Pronounciation | Transition | Approach |
---|---|---|---|
EMMLN# | EmmLynn | DAG HEC | RV LOC 25 |
IRNMN# RNAV | Ironman | BURGL FRASR MUPTT REBRG | RV LOC 25 |
RYDRR# RNAV | Raider | CERNL EESSA ELKEY SNAXX | RV LOC 25 |
Runway | IAP | IAF | IF | FAF |
---|---|---|---|---|
07 | RNAV (GPS) | TANDY SLI | MEANA | ZEFER |
25 | RNAV (GPS) | CAKUT SLI | WELLZ | ZANIR |
" | LOC | POWUP | WELLZ | ZANIR |
" | VOR | LAHAB SLI ELMOO | NORWA | BELLI |
Date | Changes | VID |
---|---|---|
July 2023 | Added APP Position and Procedures | 702252 |
June 2023 | Conversion from PDF to WIKI | 702252 |
June 2021 | Updated PDF | 644899 |
Sept 2020 | Original PDF | 644899 |