AIM 

3/21/24 

participating VFR and IFR traffic en route to the airport. When a flight is positioned behind a preceding aircraft 

and the pilot reports having that aircraft in sight, the pilot will be instructed to follow the preceding aircraft. THE 

ATC INSTRUCTION TO FOLLOW THE PRECEDING AIRCRAFT DOES NOT AUTHORIZE THE PILOT 

TO  COMPLY WITH ANY ATC CLEARANCE OR INSTRUCTION ISSUED TO THE PRECEDING 

AIRCRAFT. If other “nonparticipating” or “local” aircraft are in the traffic pattern, the tower will issue a landing 

sequence. If an arriving aircraft does not want radar service, the pilot should state “NEGATIVE RADAR 

SERVICE” or make a similar comment, on initial contact with approach control. 

(b) 

Pilots of departing VFR aircraft are encouraged to request radar traffic information by notifying 

ground control, or where applicable, clearance delivery, on initial contact with their request and proposed 

direction of flight. 

EXAMPLE

−

 

Xray ground control, November One Eight Six, Cessna One Seventy Two, ready to taxi, VFR southbound at 2,500, have 

information bravo and request radar traffic information. 

NOTE

−

 

Following takeoff, the tower will advise when to contact departure control. 

(c) 

Pilots of aircraft transiting the area and in radar contact/communication with approach control will 

receive traffic information on a controller workload permitting basis. Pilots of such aircraft should give their 

position, altitude, aircraft call sign, aircraft type, radar beacon code (if transponder equipped), destination, and/or 

route of flight. 

b.  TRSA Service (Radar Sequencing and Separation Service for VFR Aircraft in a TRSA). 

1. 

This service has been implemented at certain terminal locations. The service is advertised in the Chart 

Supplement. The purpose of this service is to provide separation between all participating VFR aircraft and all 

IFR aircraft operating within the airspace defined as the Terminal Radar Service Area (TRSA). Pilot participation 

is urged but is not mandatory. 

2. 

If any aircraft does not want the service, the pilot should state “NEGATIVE TRSA SERVICE” or make 

a similar comment, on initial contact with approach control or ground control, as appropriate. 

3. 

TRSAs are depicted on sectional aeronautical charts and listed in the Chart Supplement. 

4. 

While operating within a TRSA, pilots are provided TRSA service and separation as prescribed in this 

paragraph. In the event of a radar outage, separation and sequencing of VFR aircraft will be suspended as this 

service is dependent on radar. The pilot will be advised that the service is not available and issued wind, runway 

information, and the time or place to contact the tower. Traffic information will be provided on a workload 

permitting basis. 

5. 

Visual separation is used when prevailing conditions permit and it will be applied as follows: 

(a) 

When a VFR flight is positioned behind a preceding aircraft and the pilot reports having that aircraft 

in sight, the pilot will be instructed by ATC to follow the preceding aircraft. Radar service will be continued to 

the runway. THE ATC INSTRUCTION TO FOLLOW THE PRECEDING AIRCRAFT DOES NOT 

AUTHORIZE THE PILOT TO COMPLY WITH ANY ATC CLEARANCE OR INSTRUCTION ISSUED TO 

THE PRECEDING AIRCRAFT. 

(b) 

If other “nonparticipating” or “local” aircraft are in the traffic pattern, the tower will issue a landing 

sequence. 

(c) 

Departing VFR aircraft may be asked if they can visually follow a preceding departure out of the 

TRSA. The pilot will be instructed to follow the other aircraft provided that the pilot can maintain visual contact 

with that aircraft. 

6. 

Participating VFR aircraft will be separated from IFR and other participating VFR aircraft by one of the 

following: 

(a) 

500 feet vertical separation. 

Services Available to Pilots 

4

−

1

−

16