Hi-Tec Routing

Around 1980, the FAA tried using adjacent approach control facilities to manage traffic through or within major metropolitan areas. The practice was dubbed tower enroute control (TEC), also called Tower to Tower. But these names are misleading because pilots on TEC routes never talk to tower controllers while enroute. Go figure.(The difference between TEC routes and other canned routes is that TEC routes never touch center airspace.)The Air Traffic Control Handbook defines TEC: the control of IFR enroute traffic within delegated airspace between two or more adjacent approach control facilities. This service is designed to expedite traffic and reduce control and pilot communication requirements. A good idea; lets see if theres any there there.

Key Takeaways:

• TEC (Tower Enroute Control) is an FAA system designed to expedite IFR traffic between adjacent approach control facilities for low-altitude, short-duration flights (typically general aviation), by avoiding busy center airspace.
• Despite initial intentions for national expansion, TEC routes are surprisingly and atypically limited to only two regions: the Northeast U.S. and Southern California.
• The implementation, filing procedures, route descriptions, and aircraft restrictions for TEC routes differ significantly between the Northeast and Southern California regions.

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