Nashville International Airport (BNA) is a medium to large sized multi-use airport. It serves air carriers as well as general aviation, cargo operations, and the military. It boasts three parallel runways, as well as an intersecting runway. A complex series of taxiways provides access to terminals, FBOs, and cargo ramps, located on all sides of the airport. View a printable Pilot Handbookof the BNA information found on this Web page.
Know Before You Go
- Runway configuration consists of 3 parallel RWYS 02L/20R, 02C/20C, and 02R/20L, and intersecting RWY 13/31.
- Several incidents have occurred when aircraft cleared to land on RWY 20C have landed or attempted to land on RWY 20R. The RWYS are closely spaced however the threshold for RWY 20C is considerably further south than the threshold for RWY 20R. Aircraft flying a right downwind for RWY 20C may be tempted to land on RWY 20R because it comes into sight first.
- A complex TWY structure at BNA includes TWY S, which is parallel to RWY 20C. Although TWY S is marked, lighted, and only 75 feet wide, its shoulders are wider than typical on the north end because it used to be a RWY in the past. Pilots taxiing to RWY 20C via TWYs S6 and S7 have attempted to depart on TWY S instead of RWY 20C.
- Visual clues to assist the pilot include the word “TAXI” painted in large yellow letters on the surface of TWY S at S6 and S7.
- Hotspot 3 occurs with aircraft, predominantly air carriers, taxiing to RWY 02R/20L via TWY L and TWY H. The pilot may miss the slight left turn to remain on TWY L and continue on TWY L8. This could lead to the pilot inadvertently crossing RWY 31.
- Small aircraft landing RWY 20L may not be clearly visible from the TWR if they clear the RWY at H4 or H5. Unless specifically asked, a “cleared of RWY” call is not a requirement but, in this situation,may help the TWR for situational awareness.
- Two vehicle access roads, located between TWY H3 and TWY H4, connect RWY 20L and 20R. These roads are wide enough to be confused for a taxiway.
- The Terminal Ramp area is a Non-Movement area and is not controlled by TWR. Refrain from asking GND for parking issues or gate-pushback clearances in this area.
- BNA undergoes frequent construction. Check NOTAMS.
- Pilots need to be aware of the Approach Hold Lines for RWY 20C on TWY K.
- VFR Traffic transiting the area may be present outside the inner ring and under the outer shelf of BNA Class C airspace. They may not be in communication with ATC.
Below find various BNA-specific information and things to be aware of, as well as general information to inform your preflight planning. This will be reviewed quarterly and updated as needed.This information is to supplement the From the Flight Deck Videos that are produced by the FAA Runway Safety Group. Here you will also find information provided by the local air traffic controllers at the airport where you intend to fly. The information is subject to change. Not for navigation or legal* pre-flight action. Always refer to official pre-flight materials such as, but not limited to, NOTAMs, airport diagrams, VFR charts and airport construction notices for the latest airport-specific details.
BNA Tower Administrative Office
Business Phone 615-695-4594
Open 0800 to 1700 – Monday through Friday
BNA Airspace
The airspace at BNA is Class C with a ceiling up to and including 6000’ MSL. (Refer to Sectional Chart)
Class C Airspace Requirements (CFR §91.130 and AIM 3-1-4; 3-2-4)
| Visibility | 3 statute miles |
| Distance from Clouds | 500 feet below | 1,000 ft above | 2,000 ft horizontal |
| Communications | Establish communications (controller response) |
| Pilot | No special certification required |
| Equipment | Two-way radio,operable radar transponder with altitude reporting and ADS-B Out |
BNA Cautions
Hot Spots
- HS 1 Maintain vigilance as hold bars at TWY T3/TWY K intersection and TWY K west of TWY T4 protect RWY 20C arrivals.
- HS 2 Maintain vigilance as TWY S is often mistaken for RWY 20C departure surface.
- HS 3 When taxiing to RWY 02R, keep left at the TWY L and TWY L8 split.
Airspace
- There are many areas of congestion in and around Nashville (BNA)
- The Class C encompasses the downtown Nashville area. With there being four major hospitals in the vicinity, numerous medevacs transit through the airspace. While many remain under the shelf, some medevacs call the tower for mid-field crossings.
- Aircraft in the downtown vicinity should use extreme caution as multiple touring helicopters based at KJWN frequent the area.
- Traffic permitting, the tower will accommodate downtown tours in the Class C.
- There may be other VFR aircraft in the area (departing aircraft, traffic pattern, VFR traffic transitioning the area, etc.). All pilots conducting practice instrument approaches should be extremely vigilant to observe any traffic that may be in the pattern or departing the airport.
- John C. Tune Airport (KJWN) is located eleven (11) miles west of BNA and has a Control Tower. KJWN services an extremely diverse variety of aircraft types, and experiences high levels of congestion. See KJWN LTA for more information.
Departure
- Wrong Surface Departure risk exists.
- Verify proper heading prior to starting takeoff roll on all intersection departures.
- Do not confuse TWY S for RWY 20C.
Landing
- Wrong Surface Landing risk exists.
- Positive identification of the landing RWY needs to be a part of every pilot’s landing checklist. The triple parallels are a little complicated in that RWY 20R/2L and 20C/2C are closer in proximity than RWY 20C/2C to 20L/2R. Use caution.
- Do not confuse TWY S for RWY 20C.
Surface Risk – Movement Area
- Hotspot 1- TWY K is in the approach area for RWY 20C. Use caution with the approach hold lines. It is always okay to verify with the TWR that you are unsure to hold or proceed.
- Hotspot 2- TWY S6 and S7 on S. The width of S is larger than a normal TWY and can potentially cause confusion. Large yellow letters indicating “TAXI” are on S to mitigate confusion and assist in situational awareness.
- Hotspot 3-TWY L at TWY L8. Aircraft taxiing to RWY 02R/20L via TWY L and TWY H need to ensure that they continue to the left at this intersection to avoid being on TWY L8 which is at the RWY 31 approach end. Pay particular attention to the signage in this area.
- While not listed as a hot spot, two access roads are present halfway down RWY 20L/2R that can be confused as an exit point. There are signs to help prevent any confusion.
- Read-back and compliance of holding instructions required:
- Especially TWY K and RWY 20C Approach Hold
- TWY L at RWY 13
- TWY H at RWY 31
Additional Cautions
- If ever in doubt about your position or your instructions, ask the TWR.
BNA Communications
BNA Tower (TWR) operates continuously
- For traffic advisories contact Nashville Approach Control on 119.35 if from the west, or 118.4 if from the east.
From the BNA Control Tower: Local Information Your BNA TWR Controllers Want You to Know
General
- No flight over main Terminal building permitted.
- The BNA controllers alternate between Control Tower and TRACON duties.
- Bird activity on and in vicinity of the airport.
- Noise abatement procedures – see Special Notices.
Traffic Patterns
- Practice approaches to the airport or pattern traffic at the airport are not permitted between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 am.
Ground
- C-Concourse taxi-lanes are inner taxi-lane for outbound traffic and outer lane for inbound traffic.
- Terminal Ramp uncontrolled – Monitor 122.95 for Ramp Advisories
- Pilots comply with All Hold-Short Instructions, particularly at TWY K and RWY 20C Approach; TWY L at RWY 13 Approach and TWY H at RWY 31 Approach
- Do not confuse TWY S for RWY 20C.
- At C concourse, the inner taxi-lane is for outbound traffic and the outer taxi-lane is used for inbound traffic.
- When taxiing to RWY 02R, keep left at the TWY L and TWY L8 split.
Takeoff/Departure
- Read back all runway assignment and hold-short instructions.
Arrival/Landing
- Read back all runway hold-short instructions.
- RWY 13/31 Thresholds Displaced
- Practice instrument approaches to the airport or pattern traffic at the airport are not permitted between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 am.
Special Traffic (Military/Commercial/Helicopter, etc.)
- Landing on taxiways/ Ramp permitted during VFR conditions
- Must land/depart from active runway during IFR conditions
- Starting at the BNA070015 to BNA070035 extending to the BNA130015 to BNA130035 extensive student pilot flight training at most altitudes ranging from 2,500’-7,500’ MSL. All prop aircraft use this area. For traffic advisories contact Nashville Approach on 118.4 above 4,500’ MSL or Nashville Approach on 128.75 at or below 4,500’ MSL.
More "Good-to-Know" Information at BNA
- The BNA controllers alternate between Control Tower and TRACON duties.
- Practice approaches to the airport or pattern traffic at the airport are not permitted between 11:00 pm. and 7:00 am.
- Bird activity on and in vicinity of the airport.
- Noise abatement procedures – see Special Notices.
East Practice Area (Depicted on attached chart)
- Starting at the BNA070015 to BNA070035 extending to the BNA130015 to BNA130035 extensive student pilot flight training at most altitudes ranging from 2,500’-7,500’ MSL. All prop aircraft use this area.
Practice Approach Information
- Practice approaches to the airport or pattern traffic at the airport are not permitted between 11:00 pm. and 7:00 am.
General Links
- Chart Supplement
- NOTAMS
- Runway Safety
Last updated: Monday, July 8, 2024
