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VFR Graduates
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| Home > Roster > Graduates > VFR Graduates > TEC
Tower Enroute Control (TEC)
What's TEC?Within the national airspace system it is possible for a pilot to fly
IFR from one point to another without leaving approach control
airspace. This is referred to as 'Tower Enroute Control' or 'TEC' which
allows flight beneath the enroute structure. The TEC concept has been
expanded (where practical) by reallocating airspace
vertically/geographically to allow flight planning between city pairs
while remaining within approach control airspace. Pilots are encouraged
to use the TEC routes and when
filing flight plans within SoCal.
Other airways which appear to be more
direct between two points may take the aircraft out of approach control
airspace, or interfere with other traffic flows thereby resulting in additional delays or other complications.
How's it different to normal IFR?
Don't have to file in advance: You can pick up an IFR clearance for a TEC route without filing a flight plan. Since they are 'canned' routes, they can be issued very quickly, without much effort. Much thought has been put into the TEC route system such that, to the extent possible, it avoids, goes above/below the traffic flows in and out of surrounding airports.
That said, since online controllers often have to wear many hats (working DEL, GND, TWR, APP and even CTR simultaneously), we still recommend filing a flight plan using the published TEC route to avoid placing undue burden on the controllers if you sense the controller are already very busy. During quieter times, or if you are working specifically with a DEL/GND/TWR controller, feel free to call up and ask for 'tower enroute' to your destination without filing.
Stayin' low: TEC routes sometimes involve flying at altitudes lower than would otherwise normally be selected, particularly for higher performance jets. This is necessary to keep the planes within the approach controller's airspace, the ceiling for which is well below that of a fast moving jet. It's less of an issue for slower moving piston aircraft.
Bring on the routes!
The link in the 'related materials' section takes you to the ZLA TEC routes page. Select the area from which you'd like to DEPART and you'll be presented with a list of destinations, the corresponding route, the route code (can be used as the route in a flight plan should you chose to file it) and a set of altitudes based on the type of aircraft. Certain routes are only available for specific types of aircraft. Be sure to select the route that applies to your aircraft type.
For added fun, try switching off FSNav, your GPS, or any other moving map displays. Pick up your TEC route and only refer to the L-3 low enroute chart for your navigation. The L-3 chart is available for download from this site, and also available in scrollable, zoomable form via Skyvector. Both are linked below.
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