Conditional Phrases
You shall not qualify approval of specific situations by conditional phrases such as
BEHIND LANDING TRAFFIC or AFTER THE DEPARTING AIRCRAFT. Personnel can
interpret movement instructions with conditional phrases in more than one way. This
can cause unsafe movement on the airfield.
Clearances
Air traffic and runway conditions should be the controlling factor in determining whether
you deny a clearance to takeoff, land, make a low approach, or make touch-and-go. A
closed runway or below weather minimums conditions might also warrant denying a
specific aircraft clearance request. However, a landing clearance cannot be withheld
indefinitely.
If the pilot persists in requesting clearance, quote them the appropriate parts of the
Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) applying to the runway and inform them that a clearance
cannot be issued.
Then, if the pilot insists and in your opinion the intended operation would not adversely
affect other traffic, inform them that the operation will be at their own risk.
Landing Gear Checks
If a pilot is not sure that the landing gear is down and locked, the pilot must notify the
control tower. Then, instruct the pilot to perform a low pass in front of the tower for a
visual check. Then relay to the pilot the results of the visual check.
Should any doubt exist after a visual check, alert the crash and rescue equipment and
the pilot. The pilot should then make a precautionary landing. After the landing rollout,
the aircraft should not be turned off the runway until ground personnel have made a
visual check of the landing gear and installed the gear pins (if applicable).
Unusual Maneuvers
Do not approve pilot requests or ask a pilot to conduct unusual maneuvers within
surface areas of Class B, C, or D airspace if such maneuvers are not essential to the
performance of the flight. These unusual maneuvers include unnecessary low passes,
unscheduled fly bys, practice instrument approaches to altitudes below specified
minima (unless a landing or touch-and-go is to be made), or any so-called "buzz jobs"
wherein flight is conducted at low altitude or a high rate of speed for thrill purposes.
Such maneuvers increase hazards to persons and property and contribute to noise
complaints.
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