"tony" wrote in message
...

In the case of "Air Force One" it more likely means to controllers that
nota all aircraft are created equal. AF 1 is number one to land from 50
miles out! I'll bet they don't often get told to take a 360 for spacing!


ATC services are provided on a first come, first served basis, with a few
exceptions. Presidential aircraft are given priority over most other
aircraft, but not all other aircraft. Top priority is given to aircraft in
distress, and if it was deemed necessary for A1 to do a 360, A1 would be
given a 360.


FAA Order 7110.65P Air Traffic Control

Chapter 2. General Control

Section 1. General

2-1-4. OPERATIONAL PRIORITY

Provide air traffic control service to aircraft on a "first come, first
served" basis as circumstances permit, except the following:

NOTE-
It is solely the pilot's prerogative to cancel an IFR flight plan. However,
a pilot's retention of an IFR flight plan does not afford priority over VFR
aircraft. For example, this does not preclude the requirement for the pilot
of an arriving IFR aircraft to adjust his/her flight path, as necessary, to
enter a traffic pattern in sequence with arriving VFR aircraft.

a. An aircraft in distress has the right of way over all other air
traffic.

REFERENCE-
14 CFR Section 91.113(c).

b. Provide priority to civilian air ambulance flights "LIFEGUARD." Air
carrier/taxi usage of the "LIFEGUARD" call sign, indicates that operational
priority is requested. When verbally requested, provide priority to military
air evacuation flights (AIR EVAC, MED EVAC) and scheduled air carrier/air
taxi flights. Assist the pilots of air ambulance/evacuation aircraft to
avoid areas of significant weather and turbulent conditions. When requested
by a pilot, provide notifications to expedite ground handling of patients,
vital organs, or urgently needed medical materials.

NOTE-
It is recognized that heavy traffic flow may affect the controller's
ability to provide priority handling. However, without compromising safety,
good judgement shall be used in each situation to facilitate the most
expeditious movement of a lifeguard aircraft.

c. Provide maximum assistance to SAR aircraft performing a SAR mission.

REFERENCE-
FAAO 7110.65, Providing Assistance, Para 10-1-3.

d. 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.

NOTE-
As used herein the terms presidential aircraft and entourage include
aircraft and entourage of the President, Vice President, or other public
figures when designated by the White House.

REFERENCE-
FAAO 7110.65, Aircraft Identification, Para 2-4-20.
FAAO 7110.65, Departure Clearances, Para 4-3-2.
FAAO 7210.3, Advance Coordination, Para 5-1-1.

e. Provide special handling, as required to expedite Flight Check
aircraft.

NOTE-
It is recognized that unexpected wind conditions, weather, or heavy
traffic flows may affect controller's ability to provide priority or special
handling at the specific time requested.

REFERENCE-
FAAO 7110.65, Flight Check Aircraft, Para 9-1-3.

f. Expedite movement of NIGHT WATCH aircraft when NAOC (pronounced
NA-YOCK) is indicated in the remarks section of the flight plan or in
air/ground communications.

NOTE-
The term "NAOC" will not be a part of the call sign but may be used when
the aircraft is airborne to indicate a request for special handling.

REFERENCE-
FAAO 7610.4, Applications, Para 12-1-1.

g. Provide expeditious handling for any civil or military aircraft using
the code name "FLYNET."

REFERENCE-
FAAO 7110.65, FLYNET, Para 9-3-6.
FAAO 7610.4, "FLYNET" Flights, Nuclear Emergency Teams, Para 12-4-1.

h. Provide expeditious handling of 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.

NOTE-
Garden Plot flights require priority movement and are coordinated by the
military with CARF. State authority will contact the Regional Administrator
to arrange for priority of National Guard troop movements within a
particular state.

i. Provide special handling for USAF aircraft engaged in aerial sampling
missions using the code name "SAMP."

REFERENCE-
FAAO 7110.65, SAMP, Para 9-3-15.
FAAO 7210.3, Atmosphere Sampling For Nuclear Contamination, Para 5-3-4.
FAAO 7610.4, Atmospheric Sampling For Nuclear Contamination, Para 12-4-3.

j. Provide maximum assistance to expedite the movement of interceptor
aircraft on active air defense missions until the unknown aircraft is
identified.

k. Expedite movement of Special Air Mission aircraft when SCOOT is
indicated in the remarks section of the flight plan or in air/ground
communications.

NOTE-
The term "SCOOT" will not be part of the call sign but may be used when
the aircraft is airborne to indicate a request for special handling.

REFERENCE-
FAAO 7110.65, Law Enforcement Operations by Civil and Military
Organizations, Para 9-3-10.
FAAO 7610.4, Applications, Para 12-7-1.

l. When requested, provide priority handling to TEAL and NOAA mission
aircraft.

NOTE-
Priority handling may be requested by the pilot, or via telephone from
CARCAH or the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (53WRS) operations center
personnel, or in the remarks section of the flight plan.

REFERENCE-
FAAO 7110.65, Weather Reconnaissance Flights, Para 9-3-17.

m. IFR aircraft shall have priority over SVFR aircraft.

REFERENCE-
FAAO 7110.65, Chapter 7, Section 5, Special VFR (SVFR).

n. Providing priority and special handling to expedite the movement of
OPEN SKIES observation and demonstration flights.

NOTE-
An OPEN SKIES aircraft has priority over all "regular" air traffic.
"Regular" is defined as all aircraft traffic other than:
1. Emergencies.
2. Aircraft directly involved in presidential movement.
3. Forces or activities in actual combat.
4. Lifeguard, MED EVAC, AIR EVAC and active SAR missions.

REFERENCE-
FAAO 7110.65 OPEN SKIES Treaty Aircraft, Para 9-3-20.
FAAO 7210.3, OPEN SKIES Treaty Aircraft, Para 5-3-7.
Treaty on OPEN SKIES, Treaty Document, 102-37.

o. 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).

REFERENCE-
FAAO 7110.65, En Route Data Entries, Para 2-3-2.
FAAO 7110.65, North American Route Program (NRP) Information, Para 2-2-15.
FAAO 7110.65, Route or Altitude Amendments, Para 4-2-5.
FAAO 7210.3, Chapter 17, Section 17, North American Route Program.

p. 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).

REFERENCE-
FAAO 7210.3, Diversion Recovery, Para 17-4-6.