Seattle (ZSE) Air Route Traffic Control Center

Last Updated: January 19, 2023, 1:15 am

Frequencies

ZSE Area/Sectors

Area A

 The A Area controls air traffic from Portland, Oregon (PDX) north to Vancouver, British Columbia (YVR) and from the Cascade Mountains west to one hundred miles over the Pacific Ocean. This airspace is divided into six non-stratified sectors that serve all users including commercial flights, general aviation and the diverse aircraft and activities of local military bases. One additional sector in the A area underlies both Whidbey RAPCON and Seattle TRACON airspace to provide arrival, departure and en route service over the Everett, WA area, which includes such diverse activities as newly produced Boeing Company heavy aircraft and attendees to the Northwest Experimental Aviation Association Fly-In.

Area B

 The B area controls aircraft in most of Northern Oregon, from approximately 150 miles off the western coastline east, roughly to Idaho, between Portland and Eugene, Oregon. There are four low altitude sectors (Sectors 4, 5, 6 and 34) controlling the surface up to 24,000 ft and three high altitude sectors (42, 46 and 16) working traffic at and above 24,000 ft. Sector 4 works a shelf along the I-5 corridor from Portland, OR to Olympia WA, below 9000 feet. Sector 6 controls a wide array of traffic departing from Portland as well as all commercial traffic arriving Portland from the south. Both sectors provide approach control services to many small airports. Sector 6 is the busiest low altitude sector in the B area. Sector 5 works Portland departures to the southeast and supplies approach control services to the Bend-Redmond-Sun River recreational hub. Sector 34 works traffic arriving and departing Portland to the east.  The B area high altitude sectors are split along north/south lines. Of the high altitude sectors, Sector 42 is the furthest west and controls traffic from Seattle and Portland to San Francisco Bay area destinations, as well as sequencing the Portland arrivals from California into one stream. Sector 46 is the middle sector. It controls the Portland departures to the southeast and sequences all Seattle area arrivals from most California and Nevada airports into one stream. Sector 16 controls the airspace over Eastern Oregon and provides service to multiple streams of aircraft including Portland departures and arrivals to the east, Seattle area departures heading to south east and traffic transiting from the Spokane area to all California destinations.  Sector 16 is the busiest high altitude sector in the B area.  There are two approach control facilities within the B-area. Portland Approach controls an area within 30 miles of the Portland Airport below 13,000 feet;  Cascade Approach controls a similar area at Eugene below 9000 feet. The B area takes responsibility for Cascade Approach’s airspace at Eugene during the nighttime hours. The Cascade Mountain Range is dotted with prominent peaks that present a terrain risk to small aircraft.

Area C

 The C area encompasses the airspace from the Cascade Mountains to Western Montana and from the Canadian border south into northeastern Oregon. It is made up of three low altitude sectors (8, 9, and 18), controlling below 24,000 ft. and four high altitude sectors (7, 11, 47, and 48), which control the airspace 24000 ft.  and above.  Three Approach Control facilities operate within the C Area. Spokane Approach is a 24-hour operation covering Spokane International Airport , Fairchild Air Force Base, Felts Field, Couer D’ Alene Air Terminal, and Deer Park Airport. Chinook Approach and Grant County Approach Controls operate from 6am to 10pm daily. Chinook encompasses Yakima, Pasco, Walla Walla and Richland Airports in Washington as well as Pendleton and Hermiston Airports in Oregon. Grant County Approach serves Moses Lake and Ephrata airports in Washington State.  It serves as a major training support facility for Air Force and Navy tactical training and for Boeing flight test operations. The C Area controls the airspace contained within both Grant County and Chinook Airspace after these facilities close at night.  The C Area contains a great deal of Special Use Airspace for military operations. Specially assigned airspace and are used for activities such as air refueling, terrain following, air combat maneuvers, armor, artillery, and air/ground fire exercises.  The majority of the C Area’s commercial air traffic passes through its high altitude sectors, to and from Seattle, WA and Vancouver, B.C. International polar traffic between Europe and San Francisco or Los Angeles also traverses the C area.  

Area D

 The D area controls the airspace that extends from Eugene, Oregon south to a line between Arcata and Alturus, California and 150 miles off shore.  There are three high altitude sectors (13, 14 and 15) in the D area and three low altitude sectors (30, 36 and 10).  The three high altitude sectors were originally designed to optimize the air carrier traffic between large airports, such as Seattle and Los Angeles, but as the diversity of aircraft and air travel have developed, the complexity of a formarly straight forward workload has become much more complex. Sector 13 has always served the Seattle and Portland departures to the LA Basin and Sector 14 the arrivals returning northbound. Now the air taxi companies are providing transportation from moderately sized cities, such as Eugene, Medford and Redmond, Oregon, to a wide range of destinations. Sector 15 serves not only domestic air traffic between the northwest and the San Fransisco Bay area but also a very busy oceanic route to Alaska and the Orient.  The three low altitude sectors (36 between Medford and Eugene, 30 from Medford to Arcata and 10 to the east of Medford, provide both VFR and IFR services to an assorted mixture of civilian and military aircraft. D area controllers provide approach control services to several airports which are geographically and operationally dissimilar, with great detail paid to weather dissemination and terrain hazards. The D area includes vast military airspace to serve the local air combat training facility and provides both approach and tower services when civilian and military facilities close at night.

California RCAG Sites

Antelope Mountain, CA - RCAG
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
124.850 BM CSQ ZSE30 Low Sector 30 Low AM Aircraft
306.300 BM ZSE30 Low Sector 30 Low AM Aircraft
Arcata, CA - RCAG
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
124.850 BM CSQ ZSE30 Low Sector 30 Low AM Aircraft
306.300 BM ZSE30 Low Sector 30 Low AM Aircraft
Ferndale, CA - RCAG
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
135.150 BM CSQ ZSE15 Hi Sector 15 Hi AM Aircraft
360.700 BM ZSE15 Hi Sector 15 Hi AM Aircraft
124.850 BM CSQ ZSE30 Low Sector 30 Low AM Aircraft
306.300 BM ZSE30 Low Sector 30 Low AM Aircraft

Idaho RCAG Sites

Cottonwood, ID - RCAG
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
123.950 BM CSQ ZSE08 Low Sector 08 Low AM Aircraft
290.550 BM ZSE08 Low Sector 08 Low AM Aircraft
118.550 BM CSQ High High AM Aircraft
Mullan Pass, ID - RCAG
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
128.450 BM CSQ ZSE07 Hi Sector 07 Hi AM Aircraft
307.800 BM ZSE07 Hi Sector 07 Hi AM Aircraft

Oregon RCAG Sites

Horton, OR - RCAG
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
125.800 BM CSQ ZSE06 Low Sector 06 Low AM Aircraft
291.700 BM ZSE06 Low Sector 06 Low AM Aircraft
254.350 BM ZSE36 Low Sector 36 Low AM Aircraft
132.075 BM CSQ ZSE42 Low/Hi Sector 42 Low/Hi AM Aircraft
257.650 BM ZSE42 Low/Hi Sector 42 Low/Hi AM Aircraft
127.550 BM CSQ LOW Low AM Aircraft
239.000 BM LOW Low AM Aircraft
Kimberly, OR - RCAG
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
128.150 BM CSQ ZSE05 Low Sector 05 Low AM Aircraft
257.750 BM ZSE05 Low Sector 05 Low AM Aircraft
135.450 BM CSQ ZSE16 Hi Sector 16 Low AM Aircraft
281.400 BM ZSE16 Hi Sector 16 Low AM Aircraft
Klamath Falls, OR - RCAG
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
127.600 BM CSQ ZSE10 Low Sector 10 Low AM Aircraft
346.350 BM ZSE10 Low Sector 10 Low AM Aircraft
134.900 BM CSQ ZSE14 Hi Sector 14 Hi AM Aircraft
263.050 BM ZSE14 Hi Sector 14 Hi AM Aircraft
351.700 BM Klamath Klamath Falls RCAG (linked to 127.6) AM Aircraft
Lakeview, OR - RCAG
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
127.600 BM CSQ ZSE10 Low Sector 10 Low AM Aircraft
346.350 BM ZSE10 Low Sector 10 Low AM Aircraft
135.350 BM CSQ ZSE13 Hi Sector 13 Hi AM Aircraft
335.550 BM ZSE13 Hi Sector 13 Hi AM Aircraft
Medford, OR - RCAG
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
135.150 BM CSQ ZSE15 Hi Sector 15 Hi AM Aircraft
360.700 BM ZSE15 Hi Sector 15 Hi AM Aircraft
124.850 BM CSQ ZSE30 Low Sector 30 Low AM Aircraft
306.300 BM ZSE30 Low Sector 30 Low AM Aircraft
121.400 BM CSQ ZSE36 Low Sector 36 Low AM Aircraft
254.350 BM ZSE36 Low Sector 36 Low AM Aircraft
127.550 BM CSQ Low Low AM Aircraft
Redmond, OR - RCAG
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
128.150 BM CSQ ZSE05 Low Sector 05 Low AM Aircraft
257.750 BM ZSE05 Low Sector 05 Low AM Aircraft
135.350 BM CSQ ZSE13 Hi Sector 13 Hi AM Aircraft
335.550 BM ZSE13 Hi Sector 13 Hi AM Aircraft
134.900 BM CSQ ZSE14 Low/Hi Sector 14 Low/Hi AM Aircraft
263.050 BM ZSE14 Low/Hi Sector 14 Low/Hi AM Aircraft
121.350 BM CSQ ZSE46 Low/Hi Sector 46 Low/Hi AM Aircraft
279.600 BM ZSE46 Low/Hi Sector 46 Low/Hi AM Aircraft
126.150 BM CSQ ZSE Sector 35 Sector 35 AM Aircraft
269.475 BM Low Low AM Aircraft
Rex Parrett, OR - RCAG
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
121.350 BM CSQ ZSE46 Low/Hi Sector 46 Low/Hi AM Aircraft
279.600 BM ZSE46 Low/Hi Sector 46 Low/Hi AM Aircraft
Scappoose, OR - RCAG
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
124.200 BM CSQ ZSE04 Low Sector 04 Low AM Aircraft
317.600 BM ZSE04 Low Sector 04 Low AM Aircraft
128.150 BM CSQ ZSE05 Low Sector 05 Low AM Aircraft
257.750 BM ZSE05 Low Sector 05 Low AM Aircraft

Washington RCAG Sites

Badger Mountain, WA - RCAG
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
134.950 BM CSQ ZSE12 Low/Hi Sector 12 Low/Hi AM Aircraft
270.300 BM ZSE12 Low/Hi Sector 12 Low/Hi AM Aircraft
127.050 BM CSQ ZSE31 Low/Hi Sector 31 Low/Hi AM Aircraft
353.900 BM ZSE31 L/H Sector 31 Low/Hi AM Aircraft
Hoquiam, WA - RCAG
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
128.300 BM CSQ ZSE02 Low/Hi Sector 02 Low/Hi AM Aircraft
269.000 BM ZSE02 Low/Hi Sector 02 Low/Hi AM Aircraft
Klickitat, WA - RCAG
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
135.450 BM CSQ ZSE16 Hi Sector 16 Hi AM Aircraft
281.400 BM ZSE16 Hi Sector 16 Hi AM Aircraft
126.600 BM CSQ ZSE32 Low/Hi Sector 32 Low/Hi AM Aircraft
343.600 BM ZSE32 L/H Sector 32 Low/Hi AM Aircraft
119.650 BM CSQ ZSE34 Low Sector 34 Low AM Aircraft
257.600 BM ZSE34 Low Sector 34 Low AM Aircraft
Larch Mountain, WA - RCAG
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
128.300 BM CSQ ZSE02 Low/Hi Sector 02 Low/Hi AM Aircraft
269.000 BM ZSE02 Low/Hi Sector 02 Low/Hi AM Aircraft
126.600 BM CSQ ZSE32 Low/Hi Sector 32 Low/Hi AM Aircraft
343.600 BM ZSE32 L/H Sector 32 Low/Hi AM Aircraft
Marlin, WA - RCAG
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
126.100 CSQ ZSE18 Low Sector 18 Low AM Aircraft
291.600 ZSE18 Low Sector 18 Low AM Aircraft
Mohler, WA - RCAG
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
128.450 BM CSQ ZSE07 Hi Sector 07 Hi AM Aircraft
307.800 BM ZSE07 Hi Sector 07 Hi AM Aircraft
Naselle, WA - RCAG
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
124.200 BM CSQ ZSE04 Low Sector 04 Low AM Aircraft
317.600 BM ZSE04 Low Sector 04 Low AM Aircraft
Neah Bay, WA - RCAG
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
125.100 BM CSQ ZSE03 Low/Hi Sector 03 Low/Hi AM Aircraft
319.200 BM ZSE03 Low/Hi Sector 03 Low/Hi AM Aircraft
Seattle, WA - RCAG
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
120.300 BM CSQ ZSE01 Low/Hi Sector 01 Low/Hi AM Aircraft
273.600 BM ZSE01 Low/Hi Sector 01 Low/Hi AM Aircraft
127.050 BM CSQ ZSE31 Low/Hi Sector 31 Low/Hi AM Aircraft
353.900 BM ZSE31 L/H Sector 31 Low/Hi AM Aircraft
Spokane, WA RCAG
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
123.950 BM CSQ ZSE08 Low Sector 08 Low AM Aircraft
282.300 BM ZSE08 Low Sector 08 Low AM Aircraft
290.550 BM ZSE08 Low Sector 08 Low (Replaced 282.3) AM Aircraft
119.225 BM CSQ ZSE11 Hi Sector 11 Hi AM Aircraft
335.500 BM ZSE11 Hi Sector 11 Hi AM Aircraft
285.450 BM ZSE-TSU Tactical/Special Use [FL240 and Abv; not VHF paired] AM Aircraft
Stampede Pass, WA RCAG
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
134.950 BM CSQ LOW/HIGH LOW/HIGH AM Aircraft
270.300 BM LOW/HIGH LOW/HIGH AM Aircraft
Wallula, WA RCAG
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
132.600 BM CSQ ZSE09 Low Sector 09 Low AM Aircraft
269.350 BM ZSE09 Low Sector 09 Low AM Aircraft
Wenatchee, WA - RCAG
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
126.100 BM CSQ ZSE18 Low Sector 18 Low AM Aircraft
291.600 BM ZSE18 Low Sector 18 Low AM Aircraft
Whidbey Island, WA - RCAG
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
125.100 BM CSQ ZSE03 Low/Hi Sector 03 Low/Hi AM Aircraft
319.200 BM ZSE03 Low/Hi Sector 03 Low/Hi AM Aircraft
134.950 BM CSQ ZSE12 Low/Hi Sector 12 Low/Hi AM Aircraft
270.300 BM ZSE12 Low/Hi Sector 12 Low/Hi AM Aircraft
Yakima, WA - RCAG
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
120.300 BM CSQ ZSE01 Low/Hi Sector 01 Low/Hi AM Aircraft
273.600 BM ZSE01 Low/Hi Sector 01 Low/Hi AM Aircraft
132.600 BM CSQ ZSE09 Low Sector 09 Low AM Aircraft
132.675 BM CSQ ZSE09 Low Sector 09 Low AM Aircraft
269.350 BM ZSE09 Low Sector 09 Low AM Aircraft
118.550 BM CSQ HIGH HIGH AM Aircraft
135.525 BM CSQ LOW/HIGH LOW/HIGH AM Aircraft
251.100 BM HIGH HIGH AM Aircraft
353.900 BM LOW/HIGH LOW/HIGH AM Aircraft