I visited with a tower supervisor and controller from KRNO today. They were very complimentary of the pilots and instructors at GBA - as always! Thank you for continuing to teach professionalism and high standards in all you do. They are working on a project to mitigate risk with traffic coming and going from KRTS. As it is now, traffic is often coming or going from Stead but could either be with KRNO Tower outbound from KRNO or on with NORCAL if coming in from KRTS. This is due to the close proximity of the two airports and the way traffic gets handed off. 

The issue they are seeing is that traffic often gets a frequency switch from ATC (Approach to Tower, for example) but may immediately get a traffic alert due to the nature of this scene. They are trying to reduce the first response from ATC being a traffic alert. GBA is one of the biggest local 'flows' to and from the airport so we brainstormed a procedure I'd like folks to teach and to use. Best part is that it is simple. 

When going to Stead, expect the normal right, downwind departure. Unless otherwise told, keep downtown on your left then keep Highway 395 on your left once you cross it. Do your thing at Stead. On the way back, leave the pattern at Stead appropriately then head west over Cold Springs. Pass over 395 and stay on the west side of it back inbound. ATC often asks us to fly to downtown then enter a right downwind for 17. Expect that and do it unless instructed otherwise! Keep 395 on your left inbound, too. Basically what we're doing is making an unofficial approach and departure corridor. See my picture here. 

This should be super simple, easy to do, and not create any undue nonsense. Reach out if you have any questions. As usual, ATC instructions and safety always take priority. This is all just a request and an attempt to mitigate potential situations Reno ATC sees all the time. Thank you! 
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