Operational Priority

It is recognized that traffic flow may affect the controller's ability to provide priority handling. However, without compromising safety, good judgment must be used in each situation to facilitate the most expeditious movement of priority aircraft. Provide air traffic control service to aircraft on a “first come, first served” basis as circumstances permit, except the following:

1. An aircraft in distress has the right of way over all other air traffic.
2. Treat air ambulance flights as follows:
   1. Provide priority handling to civil air ambulance flights when the pilot, in radio transmissions, verbally identifies the flight by stating “MEDEVAC” followed by the FAA authorized call sign or the full civil registration letters/numbers. Good judgment must be used in each situation to facilitate the most expeditious movement of a MEDEVAC aircraft.
   2. Provide priority handling to AIR EVAC and HOSP flights when verbally requested by the pilot.
   3. Assist the pilots of MEDEVAC, AIR EVAC, and HOSP aircraft to avoid areas of significant weather and adverse conditions.
   4. If requested by a pilot, provide additional assistance (i.e., landline notifications) to expedite ground handling of patients, vital organs, or urgently needed medical materials.
3. Provide priority handling and expedite the movement of presidential aircraft and entourage and any rescue support aircraft as well as related control messages when traffic conditions and communications facilities permit.
4. Provide priority handling and maximum assistance to SAR aircraft performing a SAR mission.
5. Provide priority handling and maximum assistance to expedite the movement of interceptor aircraft on active air defense missions until the unknown aircraft is identified.
6. Provide priority handling to NIGHT WATCH “NAOC” (pronounced NAY-OCK) aircraft when notified via landline or when “NAOC” is used in air/ground communications. When the term “NAOC” is used, approve any request(s) as soon as practicable.
7. Provide priority handling to any civil or military aircraft using the code name “FLYNET."
8. Provide priority handling to aircraft using the code name “Garden Plot” only when CARF notifies you that such priority is authorized. Refer any questions regarding flight procedures to CARF for resolution.
9. Provide priority handling to USAF or other government aircraft engaged in aerial sampling/surveying missions using the call sign “SAMP.”
10. Provide priority handling to Special Air Mission “SCOOT” aircraft when notified via landline or when “SCOOT” is used in air/ground communications. When the term “SCOOT” is used, approve any request(s) as soon as practicable.
11. When requested, provide priority handling to TEAL and NOAA mission aircraft.
12. Provide priority handling, as required to expedite Flight Check aircraft.
13. IFR aircraft must have priority over SVFR aircraft.
14. Aircraft operating under the North American Route Program (NRP) are not subject to route limiting restrictions (e.g., published preferred IFR routes, letter of agreement requirements, standard operating procedures).
15. If able, provide priority handling to diverted flights. Priority handling may be requested via use of “DVRSN" in the remarks section of the flight plan or by the flight being placed on the Diversion Recovery Tool (DRT).
16. If able, provide priority handling to FALLEN HERO flights when “FALLEN HERO" is indicated in the remarks section of the flight plan or requested in air/ground communications.