Narrative:

We have a TRSA airspace around mdt and an adjacent airport cxy about 3 miles away; which is closed overnight. Before the contract tower at cxy opened; a PC12 was on the RNAV 8 approach full stop; cancelling with our approach control and terminated from services; as per procedures. Since there is no class C airspace and no rules governing otherwise; the aircraft without informing anyone circled south off the approach end of runway 8 to land runway 26. The aircraft has every right to do so since there is no class C. This greatly impacts mdt's upwind of runway 31; completely crossing over it twice. I was working local and did not have any aircraft that were departing; however this is a really dangerous situation - since the aircraft circles towards mdt's departure corridor. It is only a matter of time until something happens. We really need to have the airspace changed to require these aircraft be in communication with us since the airports are so close in proximity to each other. Recommendation; re-designate the airspace as class C; so that aircraft operating at cxy must communicate their intentions to mdt approach control.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: MDT controller voiced concern regarding the existing MDT TRSA airspace limitations with regard to operations at nearby CXY airport when the CXY tower is closed; suggesting airspace and/or procedural changes.

Narrative: We have a TRSA airspace around MDT and an adjacent airport CXY about 3 miles away; which is closed overnight. Before the Contract Tower at CXY opened; a PC12 was on the RNAV 8 approach full stop; cancelling with our Approach Control and terminated from services; as per procedures. Since there is no Class C airspace and no rules governing otherwise; the aircraft without informing anyone circled south off the approach end of Runway 8 to land Runway 26. The aircraft has every right to do so since there is no Class C. This greatly impacts MDT's upwind of Runway 31; completely crossing over it twice. I was working Local and did not have any aircraft that were departing; however this is a really dangerous situation - since the aircraft circles towards MDT's departure corridor. It is only a matter of time until something happens. We really need to have the airspace changed to require these aircraft be in communication with us since the airports are so close in proximity to each other. Recommendation; re-designate the airspace as Class C; so that aircraft operating at CXY must communicate their intentions to MDT Approach Control.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.