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ATC Service

JO 7110.65BB, Change 3, effective July 9, 2026 · Official text on faa.gov

  1. The primary purpose of the ATC system is to prevent a collision involving aircraft operating in the system.
  2. In addition to its primary purpose, the ATC system also:
    1. Provides a safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic.
    2. Supports National Security and Homeland Defense missions.
  3. The ATC system must provide certain additional services to the extent permitted. The provision of additional services is not optional on the part of the controller, but rather required when the work situation permits. It is recognized that the provision of these services may be precluded by various factors, including, but not limited to:
    1. Volume of traffic.
    2. Frequency congestion.
    3. Quality of surveillance.
    4. Controller workload.
    5. Higher priority duties.
    6. The physical inability to scan and detect situations falling in this category.
  4. Controllers must provide air traffic control service in accordance with the procedures and minima in this order, except when one or more of the following conditions exists:
    1. A deviation is necessary to conform with ICAO Documents, National Rules of the Air, or special agreements where the U.S. provides air traffic control service in airspace outside the U.S. and its possessions or:
    2. Other procedures/minima are prescribed in a letter of agreement, FAA directive, or a military document, or:
    3. A deviation is necessary to assist an aircraft when an emergency has been declared.
  5. Air Traffic Control services are not provided for model aircraft operating in the NAS or to any UAS operating in the NAS at or below 400ft AGL.