Newark (KEWR) Approach / 120.15

[Newark777]

While listening to EWR traffic today, I noticed that some flights were being handed off to 120.15, a frequency I didn't have listed as EWR approach. I added it to my scanner, and have picked up quite a bit of traffic on the frequency. Was this frequency recently added to the EWR approach frequencies?

 

[kicktd]

Could be. Don't see anything on Airnav for JFK, LGA or EWR nor is it one of the center frequencies.

 

[Newark777]

Could be. Don't see anything on Airnav for JFK, LGA or EWR nor is it one of the center frequencies.

Exactly, I looked through those places also, since at first I thought they were just borrowing LGA's or JFK's approach freq. They stopped using it as soon as the traffic calmed down a bit, so maybe it's just a backup that they break out when it gets busy.

 

[Newark777]

Well, they were using it again this morning for all the European CO arrivals. I've noticed that they also use the Class B frequency when things get busy as well.

 

[Newark777]

It is still being used extensively for EWR approach, so it definitely wasn't a one time thing.

 

[kicktd]

Is it used mainly during "rush" hour? I could understand that cause of the insane amount of air traffic EWR/LGA/JFK has to put up with at those times. Nice to know about the frequnecy though

 

[Newark777]

Is it used mainly during "rush" hour? I could understand that cause of the insane amount of air traffic EWR/LGA/JFK has to put up with at those times. Nice to know about the frequnecy though

I have seen it used during quieter hours as well, so it's not just a rush hour freq. When it's really quiet, they tend to only use 128.55, but when it gets busy, they use most of the approach frequencies, plus this new one and the Class B one.

 

[kicktd]

Interesting indeed. Guess we'll have to see if they add it to the official list of frequencies for LGA or if they will just keep using it as they are now.

 

[EMD91123]

Has always been final into EWR foir at least 5 years when landing RWY22L AND CIRCLE FOR 29. However they have for the last 2 years been handing off from 120.15 to 125.625 AND/OR 125.5(EWR FINAL APP INTO 22L AND 29).Seems that 125.5 is now the primary final after 120.15(landing on 22l and 29) and after 128.55(landing on 4R)

 

[PHL_Approach]

Im a tad late here. 20.15 is North Arrival and has been in use for probably over 8-10 years, generally handles SHAFF5 arrivals and generally just do to staffing he'll also run FQM1 guys. Reference page 2 for North Arrival video maps, along with "RBV" now known as ARD. http://www.radioreference.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36013 Around 9-10pm it's 50/50 on whether they combine on 20.15 or 28.55. It's just like one of those discrete freqs out there in a Tracon that just not many people know about, theres always a few at every facility. That's why it's better to have a database like here (though the database is quite messy with information duplication) rather than going to look at Airnav which are always missing tons of stuff.

 

[Newark777]

Thanks for all the great info PHL. I've noticed it being used by the FQM arrivals as you said. I'll need some time to really go over the charts you posted on that page.

I've been discovering the use of these discreet frequencies in the past months, as I'm trying to pay more attention to what frequencies planes are being handed off to, and comparing it to the data I already have.