Over the last year, daily operations at Hicks airfield have nearly doubled. The arrival and departure corridors for this increasingly heavy traffic are narrowed by Class D constraints associated with KAFW, KFTW and KNFW. As a result, conflicts between inbound and outbound traffic are becoming more prevalent. Additionally, encroachment of newly constructed neighborhoods in the surrounding area have resulted in noise complaints.

In an effort to mitigate these issues, the Hicks Airfield Safety Committee is proposing the use of Arrival and Departure “Best Practices” as described in the attached charts. These procedures separate inbound and outbound traffic using two prominent landmarks; The Powerlines to our South, and Peden Road to our North.

Aside from the deconfliction function of these procedures, it is also important to attain the pattern altitude of 1700msl before turning downwind in compliance with FAA AC 90-66C paragraph 11.7. Ensuring proper attitude on downwind coupled with reducing engine and/or propeller settings when able will address the noise issue. The best practice recommendations allow a generous upwind leg that should allow all aircraft remaining in the pattern to attain 1700msl before turning downwind.

While these procedures are not mandatory, please consider incorporating them into your flying to improve safety while being sensitive to the surrounding community.

Thanks for your help.

Hicks Airfield Safety Committee