ATC Operational Restrictions

San Luis Obispo’s air traffic control tower is facing reduced staffing hours due to a change in the tower’s management contract. Here’s how this affects you:

1. ATC is cutting their operational hours early by three hours each day. This will revert our airspace to Class Echo rules after 1700 PST.

2. Touch-and-go operations and opposite direction VFR practice approaches have been limited to:

Mondays-Tuesdays: 1030-1330 PST

Wednesdays: 0600-2000 PST

Thursdays-Saturdays: 1030-1330 PST

3. The control tower may close intermittently. Check NOTAMS before each flight for this information. If the control tower is closed, the following NOTAM will be issued:

“SVC TWR CLSD. MNT CTAF 124.0. CTC SANTA BARBARA APP FOR CLR DELIVERY AT 805-681-0166 OR ON 127.725”

When the control tower is closed, SBP will revert to an uncontrolled airport. The Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) is 124.0.

4. IFR releases will be delayed. For IFR clearances and releases, contact Santa Barbara Approach on the ground via frequency 127.72 or by phone (805.681.0166).

Tower staff have asked that we refrain from calling the control tower (805.781.8753) unless there is an urgent issue that the controller in charge can address. Voicemails may be left for non-urgent issues, and emails can be sent to: dylan.ctr.krassensky@faa.gov.