Real-World Sector IDs

[Kyle Gallagher]

I was wondering, what do 2-number IDs to Real-World Centers use to handoff to a TRACON? I know they use the two-number sector ID for other Centers, but TRACONS identify themselves using 1 letter. Do they just put another number in front or after the letter?  Also, is there a place where I could find all this out? Thanks!

[Harold Rutila]

I was wondering, what do 2-number IDs to Real-World Centers use to handoff to a TRACON? I know they use the two-number sector ID for other Centers, but TRACONS identify themselves using 1 letter. Do they just put another number in front or after the letter?  Also, is there a place where I could find all this out? Thanks!

I'm pretty sure TRACONs also identify with two numbers. I'm not understanding the first part of your question, though.

[Bryan Wollenberg]

Going from Center to Approach, they actually use 3 letter ID's.  LA Feeder Sector, for example is T2F, Norton is T3N, Palm Springs is T3S, Hemet is T3V, etc.  T stands for Terminal.  Or you can just hit T and the handoff will be directed to where the computer "thinks" the aircraft is supposed to be going.  Normally works out great unless you are doing something weird with the aircraft, or in some instances where the route gets a little funky.

Similarly, it works the same way when handing off from Center to Center.  To give a handoff to Albuquerque Sector 92, for instance, I would either use A92, or I could hit A and assuming things are going well, it will automatically flash the handoff to the appropriate Albuquerque Sector.

In house, between center sectors, it's just the two number sector number.

[Kyle Gallagher]

Thanks for the info! Do you know of any place where I could find out the real-world codes?

[Bryan Wollenberg]

Thanks for the info! Do you know of any place where I could find out the real-world codes?

The only place they might be is the individual facility SOPs.  I know we don't have them listed anywhere except for the frequency charts that are hanging next to the scopes.

[Kyle Gallagher]

I know they are not listed in the TRACON SOPs, so maybe not. I have the last letter such as "T", but I need to find the number such as "3" in 3F. Thanks!

[Alex Evins]

Check your PM's. If you have the SOP read the section on manual handoffs. It's mostly automated.

[Alex Ramos]

I just busted open the P50 (Phoenix) SOP (real)

(1N) NAVAJO 119.2/281.45
(1A) APACHE 128.65/353.9
(1S) SANTAN 126.8/269.6
(1Q) QUARTZ 124.1/256.9
(1F) FREEWAY 126.6
(1V) VERDE 120.4
(1B) BILTMORE 120.7/239.0
(1P) PIMA 123.7/363.0
(1W) WILLY 124.9/353.8

and thats all I know on the matter. In VATSIM, ZAB uses P instead of 1 (PN, PA, PS, PQ)

 Ramos

[Jeremy Bucholz]

I just busted open the P50 (Phoenix) SOP (real)

(1N) NAVAJO 119.2/281.45
(1A) APACHE 128.65/353.9
(1S) SANTAN 126.8/269.6
(1Q) QUARTZ 124.1/256.9
(1F) FREEWAY 126.6
(1V) VERDE 120.4
(1B) BILTMORE 120.7/239.0
(1P) PIMA 123.7/363.0
(1W) WILLY 124.9/353.8

and thats all I know on the matter. In VATSIM, ZAB uses P instead of 1 (PN, PA, PS, PQ)

 Ramos

You are referring to STARS automated hand offs.  At LAS (real) we use the following:

1G - Granite Sector (Feeder)
1L - Lake Sector (Feeder)
1K - Keno Sector (Hardly Ever Open, but I believe they are a Feeder)
1Y - Canyon Sector (Usually Combined but runs approaches and departures in and out of Henderson HND)
1D - Daggett Sector (Departure Sector)
1M - Mead Sector (Departure Sector)
1T - Satellite Sector (Final Approach Sector *Most of the Time*)
1F - Final Sector (Final Approach Sector)

We also use them in the Tower:

1Q - Local 1 (25/7's)
1Z - Local 2 (19/1's)
1P - Local 3 (Helicopters)

In house (between tower and TRACON) we don't have to use "1(ID)" we can simply type the letter of the sector and slew on the primary.  Not sure if ZLA has to use the 1 in the handoff or not, Bryan would know more about that.  As far as from TRACON to ZLA Low, I'm pretty sure all they do is type "C" and slew on the target, but don't quote me on that.

[Bryan Wollenberg]

You do indeed need to use the 1 at the center level.  T1G would be what you need to type to direct the handoff to the Granite Sector, or just 'T' and it will try to direct the handoff appropriately...kinda like the 'C' for going to center.