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COLONIAL AIRLINES, INC.
LA GUARDIA FIELD, N.Y.

January 3, 1949

TO: ALL Flight and Operations Personnel
FROM: Flight Superintendent
SUBJECT: EMERGENCY USE OF USAF AND NAVY GCA

The following communication has just been recorded from the ATA, and is quoted for your information and guidance:

"GCA INSTALLATIONS:

All locations served by GCA in the United States--CAA, Navy and Air Force--are listed in the first two pages of each issue of the Airman's Guide. This tabulation lists all details as to hours of operation, frequencies guarded and so forth.

PROCEDURES:

1. CONTACT THE NEAREST CAA FACILITY--EITHER RANGE STATION OR CONTROL TOWER if an emergency use of GCA at any location is required. There are a number of reasons for this: first, CAA Offices are required to keep up-to-date information available at all times and all GCA units--either military or civil in the immediate area. CAA personnel are in the best position to advise the pilot immediately of the nearest available facility and pertinent information thereto. Second, All CAA Offices are connected by interphone to the nearest military GCA and tower units. CAA personnel can make any necessary arrangements for emergency use of GCA. This is important, because not all GCA units are on 24-hour operation and in those cases, 30 minutes advance notice is required. Third, while emergency conditions do not require ATC or company clearance, it is essential for safety of flight that Air Traffic Control and the company know of actions contemplated by the pilot. CAA personnel will, as a matter of practice, inform all necessary agencies, including the company, of emergency action by the pilot. In addition, Air Traffic Control is in a position to clear the other aircraft out of altitudes which possibly could conflict with the aircraft in an emergency.

2. IF POSSIBLE BE SURE TO ESTABLISH WITH THE CAA THE FREQUENCY TO BE USED IN COMMUNICATING WITH GCA UNITS

140.58 mos. is the emergency frequency. All locations served by military GCA units are equipped to transmit and receive on this frequency. However, this frequency is not always guarded by military personnel. To insure communication, it is desirable that the CAA alert the appropriate military installation to guard specifically the frequency for the impending emergency. 

3. IF TIME DOES NOT PERMIT CONTACT WITH CAA FACILITIES, OR IF, FOR SOME REASON, WARNING OF AN EMERGENCY CANNOT BE GIVEN, THE PILOT IN ATTEMPTING INITIAL CONTACT WITH THE MILITARY AGENCY, SHOULD INITIATE HIS CALL ON 140.58. 

Failing this, he should use 3117.5 requesting on this contract that reply be returned on 140.58. The call should be directed to the control tower rather than to GCA, since many GCA units are not on 24-hour operation. As a general rule, the towers are. Any exception to this is listed in the Airman's Guide.

J.E. Reinko

JER:jo