CXY SOP

New York ARTCC

Standard Operating Procedure — Capital City ATCT

Rev. 3 — Revised: 2026-01-13

Area at a glance

ICAO Code	Airport Name	Airspace
KCXY	Capital City	D

Purpose

This document prescribes the procedures to be utilized for providing air traffic control services at the Capital City Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT). The procedures described herein are supplemental to the New York ARTCC Standard Operating Procedures and FAA Order JO 7110.65.

Distribution

This order is distributed to all New York ARTCC personnel.

Procedural Deviations

Exceptional or unusual requirements may dictate procedural deviations or supplementary procedures to this order. A situation may arise that is not adequately covered herein; in such an event use good judgment to adequately resolve the problem.

Operational Positions

Position	Callsign	Radio Name	Frequency	Identifier
Ground	CXY_GND	Capital City Ground	121.900	HJ
Tower	CXY_TWR	Capital City Tower	119.500	HH
ATIS	KCXY_ATIS		134.950

Sector	Callsign	Frequency	Identifier	Combined Sector
Harrisburg (HAR)	MDT_SW_APP	124.100	HK	Primary TRACON
Lancaster (LRP)	MDT_SE_APP	126.450	HS
Ravine (RAV)	MDT_N_APP	118.250	HG
Reading	RDG_APP	125.150	RX	Covered by MDT TRACON 0000-0600 local time

Notes:

• When RDG_APP is not staffed, MDT TRACON may provide top-down services at RDG regardless of local time.
• When splitting MDT TRACON, split into HAR & LRP sectors first.

ATCT

Clearance Delivery

Exit Gate	Exit	Scratchpad
North (N)	GAAPP	GAA
	SEG	SEG
Northeast (NE)	ETX	ETX
	LVZ	LVZ
	FJC	FJC
East (E)	LRP	LRP
	PTW	PTW
	ARD	ARD
Southeast (SE)	DQO	DQO
Southwest (SW)	HAR	HAR
	BRNAN	BRN
	JST	JST
	VINSE	VIN
	THS	THS
	SCAPE	SCA
	GRAMO	GRA
	MRB	MRB
	EMI	EMI
Northwest (NW)	MCMAN	MCM
	PSB	PSB

Notes

1. While strict exit direction points are not required at MDT, the guide above may come in handy for directing pilots to proper exits for departing the area.
2. KIACK is only a valid exit if preceded by GAAPP. The route must therefore read GAAPP KIACK...
3. MCMAN is used for aircraft routed via V33/J64/Q62.
4. Traffic filed via EMI to join J48 should be re-routed via GRAMO VINNY EMI.

Position	Frequency	Code
MDT_SW_APP	124.100	HK
NY_W_CTR	132.175	N34
NY_CTR	125.325	N56

Note that this table only serves as a guide. The actual departure frequency has to be determined based on coordination with the other online controllers.

Routing to certain airports in ZNY, ZDC and ZBW ARTCCs is pre-coordinated through letters of agreement (LOA). These routes have been added to the Preferred Route Database (PRD).

Initial Altitude

1. The initial altitude for IFR departures of all types is 3,000' whereas higher may be expected in 10 minutes after departure.
2. There is no published departure out of CXY. All aircraft must be cleared to their destination via radar vectors to a fix.
3. Traffic filed via EMI to join J48 should be re-routed via GRAMO VINNY EMI.
4. Runways 8, 12 and 26 have Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODPs). ATC does not assign ODPs, but pilots may request to fly them. If they do, simply advise Local & Departure controllers of the request, but issue the IFR clearance as normal.

VFR Departures

Capital City is a Class Delta airport. All VFR traffic must establish two-way radio communications.

CXY's proximity to MDT requires special attention to VFR aircraft:

1. Aircraft that will climb into the overlying MDT Class Charlie airspace (above 2,500'): Assign MDT TRACON departure frequency and a discrete squawk code.
2. Aircraft that will laterally enter the MDT Class Charlie surface area (at or below 2,500'): Assign MDT Tower departure frequency and a discrete squawk code.
3. Aircraft that will remain outside the MDT Class Charlie are handled with normal Class Delta procedures.
   1. If flight following services are requested, assign these departures MDT TRACON departure frequency and squawk code.

Ground

Departure Sequencing

Exit Gate	Exits
North	GAAPP, SEG
Northeast	ETX, LVZ, FJC
East	LRP, PTW, ARD
Southeast	DQO
Southwest	HAR, BRNAN, JST, VINSE, THS, SCAPE, GRAMO, MRB, EMI
Northwest	MCMAN, PSB

1. Aircraft should be sequenced to depart in the following order:
   1. By alternating gate group.
   2. If not the above, then by alternating exit.
   3. If not the above, then by aircraft type largest to smallest.

Taxi Routes

1. As the taxiway system is simple, there are no pre-defined routings.
2. If inbound and outbound aircraft will come into conflict, hold departures on the ramp until the inbound aircraft is clear of the outbound aircraft. You may use conditional taxi instructions to accomplish this.

Tower

Tower Procedures

Releases

Releases from Capital City Airport are on a per-aircraft request basis unless blanket release is coordinated.

Separation

The standard departure separation technique to be used is anticipated radar separation. Only use timed separation if the pilot requests it.

Radar

This tower uses a DBRITE radar only and is not certified for any approach control services. By agreement with Harrisburg TRACON, this tower will NOT radar identify departing IFR aircraft and will instruct a departure to contact departure control once the aircraft appears to be clear of any traffic. It is imperative that tower controllers observe departing traffic turning towards the assigned heading before handing off.

Runway Selection

Wind Speed (kts)	Direction (°M)	Depart	Land
0-4	Any	26, 30	26, 30
5+	350-170	8, 12	8, 12
	171-349	26, 30	26, 30

Notes

1. Normal runway configurations are:
   1. West Operations: Runways 26 and 30.
   2. East Operations: Runways 8 and 12.
2. If visibility is below 1 3/4 SM, runway 8 must be used as it is the only runway with an ILS approach.
3. CXY runway configuration is dependent on MDT. If MDT is on a west flow configuration, CXY must be on west flow as well.

Departure Heading (IFR)

Assign IFR aircraft a heading listed in the table below, unless otherwise coordinated with the departure controller.

Runway	Heading
8	050
12	200
26	Runway heading
30	290

Land and Hold Short Operations

1. Land and Hold Short Operations (LAHSO) may only be conducted for runway 26:
   1. Hold short runway 12 / 30, Available Landing Distance 3450'
2. LAHSO is only authorized when there exists at least 3 sm of visibility and 1,000' ceiling, and no windshear is reported.

Missed Approach Procedures

Runway	Heading	Altitude
8	Passing 1300, turn left heading 050	3,000
12	200	3,000
26	Runway heading	3,000
	**RNAV 26 approach: Assign published missed
30	290	3,000

1. Missed approaches or go-arounds must be issued the instructions listed on the table to the right prior to release to the TRACON frequency, unless otherwise coordinated with the TRACON controller.
2. If the conditions are VMC (Visual Meteorological Conditions), then the Tower may keep the aircraft in the pattern and clear the aircraft for a visual approach in accordance with FAA Order JO 7110.65 § 7-4-3. Use best judgement to determine whether to keep the aircraft in the pattern or not.
3. Note: During VMC conditions VFR aircraft or IFR aircraft executing a go-around / missed approach should be retained in right closed traffic for Runway 8, if pilot concurs. If able, ensure aircraft starts crosswind prior to departure end of the runway. If unable, immediately coordinated with Harrisburg Departure Control. Issue any MDT traffic landing Runway 13 to the pilot, and wake turbulence advisories as necessary. If a conflict with MDT traffic appears imminent, turn aircraft as necessary to avoid a collision and coordinate immediately. Retain communication with the aircraft until coordination is completed.

Additional Information

1. Separation must be based on altitude initially during all missed approaches or go-arounds. Interval altitudes such as 2,000’ may be utilized to prevent converging targets from losing separation.
2. Coordinate with TRACON as soon as possible and hand off when Local Control traffic is not a factor.
3. Sound judgment must be exercised when dealing with go-arounds or missed approaches. Deviate as necessary from the headings and altitudes listed on the table if using them would compromise safety.

Airspace

Outline of the Harrisburg Tower airspace in a West Flow.

Outline of the Harrisburg Tower airspace in an East Flow.

1. Class Delta.
2. The tower's delegated airspace in dependent on runway configuration (West Flow or East Flow). The airspace is depicted on the two diagrams to the right.
3. Due to CXY ATCT being closely located to the MDT ATCT, the following procedures must apply between the towers:
   1. MDT ATCT must coordinate with CXY ATCT any traffic that may impact the Area B portion of the CXY Class D Surface Area (reference the diagrams to the right).
   2. CXY ATCT must coordinate with MDT ATCT any traffic that may impact the Area A portion of the CXY Class D Surface Area (reference the diagrams to the right), including right closed traffic to runway 26.
   3. VFR aircraft transitioning between CXY and MDT airports must be handled as closed traffic and kept within Local's surface airspace without any handoff to the TRACON sectors.

Departures

Aircraft should be given the most expeditious way out of the airspace, which should be away from the IFR flow. If the VFR aircraft intend to receive flight following services from MDT TRACON, the following headings and procedures must apply prior to handoff:

Runway	Departure Instruction	Releases
8	Heading 050 unless otherwise coordinated with TRACON	Release Required
12	Right turn to 200 unless otherwise coordinated with TRACON	Automatic Release
26	Heading 180 clockwise to 290 as close to on course as possible	Automatic Release
30	Heading 180 clockwise to 290 as close to on course as possible	Automatic Release

Flight Following

Ensure VFR aircraft receiving flight following are transferred to MDT ATCT/TRACON in a timely manner.

Over-flights

Allow overflight aircraft to cross over the numbers of the active runway. Make sure to give traffic advisories as necessary.

Note: The Susquehanna River is an excellent local landmark to help overflights navigate through the airspace. Additionally, it can be used to help deconflict local traffic with MDT.

Pattern Work

Use the following as a guide for pilots wanting to perform pattern work at CXY.

Runway	Direction
8	Left
12	Right
26	Right
30	Left

Note: All props should be at 1,500’ and jets at 2,000’. Adjust these altitudes when necessary to avoid over-flights or normal IFR traffic flow.

TRACON

TRACON services for Capital City Airport are provided by MDT TRACON.

Appendix

Changelog

Change	Date Published	Description
CHG1	25 Jun 2021	Initial release.
CHG2	26 Aug 2024	Updated GRAMO VINNY EMI routing to J48.
CHG3	9 Nov 2024	Converted to new WIki format.