| Position | Callsign | Radio Name | Frequency | Identifier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clearance Delivery | ILG_DEL | Wilmington Clearance Delivery | 119.950 | 6X |
| Ground Control | ILG_GND | Wilmington Ground | 121.700 | 6Q |
| Local Control | ILG_TWR | Wilmington Tower | 126.000 | 6O |
| ATIS | KILG_ATIS | 123.950 |
New York ARTCC
Standard Operating Procedure — ILG
Rev. 5 — Revised: 2025-02-06
Area at a glance
| ICAO Code | Airport Name | Airspace |
|---|---|---|
| KILG | Wilmington New Castle | D |
- Purpose
- This document prescribes the procedures to be utilized for providing air traffic control services at the Wilmington Air Traffic Control Towr (ATCT) a. 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
| Sector | Callsign | Frequency | Identifier | Combined Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Departure | PHL_ND_DEP | 124.350 | 1E | Primary Departure |
| North High | PHL_NH_DEP | 126.070 | 1H | Always Combined |
| South Departure | PHL_SD_DEP | 119.750 | 1V | |
| South High | PHL_SH_DEP | 126.600 | 1J | Always Combined |
| Sector | Callsign | Frequency | Identifier | Combined Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Arrival | PHL_NA_APP | 128.400 | 1N | Primary Approach |
| South Arrival | PHL_SA_APP | 133.870 | 1S |
| Sector | Callsign | Frequency | Identifier | Combined Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final Vectors 1 | PHL_F1_APP | 125.400 | 1F | Primary Final |
| Final Vectors 2 | PHL_F2_APP | 132.670 | 1L |
| Sector | Callsign | Frequency | Identifier | Combined Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodstown | PHL_WD_APP | 127.350 | 1W | Primary Satalite |
| Dupont | PHL_DU_APP | 118.350 | 1D | Always Combined |
| Pottstown | PHL_PT_APP | 126.850 | 1P | |
| Yardley | PHL_YD_APP | 123.800 | 1Y | Always Combined |
ATCT
Clearance Delivery
| Exit Gate | Exit | Scratchpad | Radial |
|---|---|---|---|
| North | PTW | PTW | |
| FJC | FJC | ||
| MAZIE | MAZ | SBJ 237 | |
| ARD | ARD | ||
| SBJ | SBJ | ||
| MXE | MXE | ||
| STOEN | STO | MXE 240 | |
| South | RUUTH | RUU | RBV 238 |
| RBV | RBV | ||
| DITCH | DIT | CYN 274 / VCN 047 | |
| CYN | CYN | ||
| VCN | VCN | ||
| OOD | OOD | ||
| ENO | ENO | ||
| DQO | DQO |
Notes
- DITCH is a valid exit for certain N90 airports. Reference the preferred routes section of this manual for more information.
- White exit points must be preceded by a red or grey exit point. Examples of acceptable route strings include:
- OOD TEBEE ...
- MXE MXE278 PENSY ...
- PTW PTW320 SARAA ...
- RUUTH RBV ...
- OOD VCN PHL
| Position | Frequency | Code |
|---|---|---|
| PHL_WD_APP | 127.350 | 6W |
| PHL_NA_APP | 128.400 | 6N |
| NY_CTR | 125.325 | N56 |
| PHL_ND_DEP | 124.350 | 6E |
| Airway | Join |
|---|---|
| V3 | North: MAZIE V3 South: MXE V3 |
| V29 | North: PTW V29 South: DQO V29 |
| V123 | North: RUUTH V123 South: OOD V123 |
| V157 | North: RUUTH V157 South: OOD V157 |
| V166 | West: DQO V166 South: OOD V166 |
| V170 | North (West Ops): MXE V170 North (East Ops): PTW V12 BOYER V170 South: DQO V170 |
| V184 | North (West Ops): MXE V184 North (East Ops): PTW V12 HAR V184 South: VCN V184 |
| V312 | East: DITCH V312 South: OOD V312 |
| V378 | MXE V378 |
| V449 | PTW CHLSE V449 |
| V474 | West Ops: MXE V474 East Ops: PTW V12 BOYER V39 DELRO V474 |
| J6 | North: DITCH J225 JFK J37 ALB J6 South: MXE PENSY J110 FLIRT J6 |
| J42 | North RNAV: DITCH J225 JFK HFD J42 South: OOD J42 |
| J48 | RNAV: STOEN REEFI EMI J48 Non-RNAV: MXE MXE278 PENSY J48 |
| J60 | PTW SARAA RAV PSB J60 |
| J62 | DITCH V312 DRIFT J121 SHLEP J62 |
| J64 | PTW SARAA J64 |
| J77 | North: DITCH J225 JFK J37 GANDE J77 South: MXE PENSY J77 |
| J80 | North: DITCH J225 JFK J37 GANDE J80 West: MXE PENSY J110 KIPPI J80 |
| J110 | MXE PENSY J110 |
| J150 | North: DITCH V312 CYN J150 South: OOD J150 |
| J225 | DITCH J225 |
| J230 | MXE PENSY J110 LARRI J230 |
| Q42 | MXE PENSY J110 FLIRT BRNAN Q42 |
| Q62 | PTW SARAA J64 RAV Q62 |
| Q75 | STOEN Q75 |
| Q409 | OOD TEBEE HAYDO TRPOD Q409 |
| Filed Exit | Amendment |
|---|---|
| CYN | DITCH CYN... |
| GXU | DITCH CYN... |
| RBV | RUUTH V123 RBV... |
| ARD | MAZIE V3 SBJ... |
| LGA | RUUTH V123 LGA... |
| SBJ | MAZIE V3 SBJ... |
| BRAND | East: DITCH... N90: RUUTH... |
| METRO | MAZIE V3 SBJ... RUUTH V123 RBV... |
| ETX | PTW ETX... |
| BYRDD | MXE... |
| REEFI | STOEN REEFI... |
| EMI | STOEN REEFI EMI... |
| PENSY | MXE PENSY... |
| CHLSE | PTW CHLSE... |
| SARAA | PTW SARAA... |
| BELAY | DQO V166 BELAY... |
| BAL | DQO V166 BELAY V378 BAL... |
| DCA | DQO V166 BELAY V378 BAL DCA... |
| TEBEE | OOD TEBEE... |
| HAYDO | OOD TEBEE HAYDO... |
| SBY | OOD TEBEE HAYDO SBY... |
| VCN | OOD VCN... |
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). Therefore, PRD must be referenced for all departures.
- The initial altitude for IFR departures of all types is 3,000’ whereas higher may be expected in 10 minutes after departure.
- There is no published departure procedure out of New Castle. All aircraft must be cleared to their destination via radar vectors to an ILG exit.
Wilmington is located inside Class Delta Airspace but it is in close proximity to Philadelphia Class Bravo Airspace. See the VFR Operations document for detailed explanation of applicable VFR procedures.
Ground Control
- Departure Sequencing
| Exit Gate | Exits |
|---|---|
| North | MXE, STOEN, PTW, FJC, MAZIE, PNE, ARD |
| South | RUUTH, DITCH, OOD, DQO |
- Aircraft should be sequenced to depart in the following order:
- By alternating gate group.
- If not the above, then by alternating exit.
- If not the above, then by aircraft type largest to smallest.
- Coordinate with Local Control at the beginning of a shift if departures will “monitor” or “contact.” Also ensure to coordinate how Local Control would like departure sequence forwarded.
- Before switching departing aircraft to Local Control frequency, ensure the aircraft is aware of his or her number for takeoff. This is important for engine start and warm up times.
- Taxi Routes
- As the taxiway system is simple, there are no pre-defined routings.
- Since there are no parallel taxiways, you may use each taxiway as a two-way road whereby aircraft may be taxied in the opposite direction on the same taxiway at the same time. When you do this, ensure that both aircraft are told to watch out for the other. This procedure is only available to single engine props during daylight hours as they are narrow enough to be able to fit two abreast.
- When the above is not available, hold departures on the ramp until the inbound aircraft is clear of the outbound aircraft. You may use conditional taxi instructions to accomplish this.
Local Control
- Releases
- Releases from ILG are requested per aircraft unless PHL TRACON permits blanket releases.
- In order to depart ILG under an IFR flight plan, TRACON must issue a release for departure. Departure restrictions such as release times and clearance void times are necessary to separate departures from other traffic in the airspace or to regulate the departure flow. Through land line communications, tower will obtain a release from TRACON for a specific flight after which tower can then issue departure instructions and takeoff clearance
- 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 RACD radar only and is not certified for any approach control services. By agreement with Philadelphia 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. VFR aircraft can and must be radar identified to receive flight following within the tower's airspace, otherwise it is not necessary.
| Wind Speed | Direction | Depart | Land |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | Any | 27, 32 | 1 |
| 5-15 | 170-259 | 27, 19 | 19 |
| 260-349 | 27, 32 | 32 | |
| 350-079 | 9, 1 | 1 | |
| 080-169 | 9, 14 | 19 | |
| 15+ | 170-214 | 19 | 19 |
| 215-304 | 27 | 27 | |
| 305-349 | 1, 32 | 1 | |
| 350-034 | 1 | 1 | |
| 035-124 | 9 | 9 | |
| 125-169 | 19, 14 | 19 |
Departures from runway 1 shall be assigned heading 330 and departures from all other runways shall be assigned runway heading, unless PHL TRACON assigns a different heading in the IFR release.
- All ILG missed approaches shall be issued the published missed for the IAP being conducted.
- In order to prevent increased workload on the TRACON, consider issuing missed approaches speed restrictions in accordance with FAA Order JO 7110.65.
- If the conditions are VMC, Local Control can elect to have the aircraft enter the traffic pattern and remain Local Control frequency so long as coordination is effected with the TRACON.
- Coordinate with the TRACON as soon as possible and hand off when local traffic is not a factor for those aircraft not remaining in the traffic pattern.
- Sound judgment must be exercised when dealing with missed approaches. Deviate as necessary from the published procedure if using it would compromise safety.
- Airspace
- Class Delta
- Wilmington Tower owns 2,600' MSL and below within 4 miles of the airport.
- Wilmington airport is located under a Mode C Veil which requires all pilots operating within the circumference of the veil to have a transponder with automatic altitude reporting equipment.
- Radar
- Wilmington tower uses DBRITE radar only and is not certified for any approach control services. The following are the uses of the DBRITE radar at Wilmington:
- To determine an aircraft's exact location. This is accomplished by radar identifying the VFR aircraft through any of the techniques available to a radar position, such as having the aircraft squawk ident. Once identified, the aircraft's position and spatial relationship to other aircraft can be determined. Once initial radar identification of a VFR aircraft has been established and the appropriate instructions have been issued, radar monitoring may be discontinued; the reason being that the local controller's primary means of surveillance in VFR conditions is visually scanning the airport and local area.
- To provide radar traffic advisories. Radar traffic advisories may be provided to the extent that the local controller is able to monitor the radar display. Local Control has primary control responsibilities to the aircraft operating on the runways, which will normally supersede radar monitoring duties.
- To provide information and instructions to aircraft operating within Class B, Class C, and Class D surface areas. In an example of this situation, the local controller would use the radar to advise a pilot on an extended downwind when to turn base leg.
- To provide a direction or suggested heading. The local controller may provide pilots flying VFR with generalized instructions which will facilitate operations:
PHRASEOLOGY
Proceed southwest bound, enter a right downwind runway tree two.
Proceed southwest bound, enter a right downwind runway tree two.
- Or provide a suggested heading to establish radar identification or as an advisory aid to navigation:
PHRASEOLOGY
Suggest heading two two zero for radar identification.
Suggest heading two two zero for radar identification.
- In both cases, the instructions are advisory aids to the pilot flying VFR and are not radar vectors.
- Departures
- All departures whose destination is known to be PHL should remain on the ground until an approval has been received from the PHL Tower that they are able to accept the aircraft into their airspace.
- Flight Following
- All aircraft should remain on the tower frequency unless the route of flight will or may impede the operations of PHL TRACON while operating inside the tower's delegated portion of the Class Bravo, or the aircraft will leave the tower's delegated portion of the Class Bravo.
- Pattern Work
- All traffic patterns at ILG are to the LEFT unless the pilot specifically requests something different or traffic warrants the use of right hand patterns.
- All helicopters should be at 500’ AGL, props at 1000’ AGL, and jets at 1500’ AGL.
- VFR Reporting Points
- Pilots will often report a geographical location or checkpoint to verify and announce their location and position in relation to the field. Most VFR checkpoints are depicted on sectional aeronautical and terminal area charts.
TRACON
TRACON services for Wilmington are provided by Philadelphia TRACON.
Appendix
Changelog
| Change | Date Published | Description |
|---|---|---|
| CHG1 | 23 Feb 2014 | MAJOR REVISION. Updated to Wiki format. Separated from the PHL SOP. |
| CHG2 | 28 Jun 2014 | Concordance with PHL SOP in regard to departure frequency. |
| CHG3 | 28 Sep 2014 | New Castle is not a satellite anymore. |
| CHG4 | 22 May 2020 | Amended the IFR Squawk Code Range. |
| CHG5 | 4 Nov 2024 | Converted to new Wiki format. |