Issue 16 -April 2015
airways the magazine for IVAO United Kingdom and Ireland
THE REAL HEATHROW
THE AFTERMATH READ ABOUT THE REAL HEATHROW EVENT FROM THE CONTROLLERS SIDE. PAGE (NO.4)
airways CONTENTS MESSAGE FROM DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS
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The welcoming message to airways, and his overview of the division over the previous month.
THE REAL HEATHROW
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A look into the aftermath of The Real Heathrow RFE from the controllers.
TRAINING ROOM
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In this first edition of the Training Room, get the lowdown on flying a visual circuit.
DESTINATION GUIDE
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This month we look at the oldest airport in the United Kingdom; Shoreham.
EVENTS UPDATE
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An update for the events coming up this month for IVAO United Kingdom and Ireland.
TOURS
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A quick look at the tours available throughout 2015.
AWARDS
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Congratulations to all the members who have gained an award.
COULD YOU BE OUR NEXT STAFF MEMBER? CLICK HERE
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airways MESSAGE FROM DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS BY DANNY RICHMOND (GB-ADIR) Over the previous months, IVAO United Kingdom and Ireland have been extremely busy with new tours being released, large scale events being held such as the Atlantic Crossing and The Real Heathrow RFE. Along with all that, the training department are in the process of writing new material and are working to make themselves more available for you, the member. We would also like to congratulate Chris Prophet (GB-DIR) and his partner on the birth of a baby girl; I see a future director! The month of April sees the collaboration of the United Kingdom and The Netherlands as we introduce the Heathrow - Amsterdam Airbridge where there will be full controller coverage between both popular airports. We also expect to see a lot more people completing the divison’s tours. I hope you enjoy this month’s edition of Airways Magazine.
(Image Above) Author: Jamie Martin - Over the Alps on our way to Skiathos
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airways THE REAL HEATHROW BY DANNY RICHMOND (GB-ADIR) On 14 March 2015, controllers from all over the United Kingdom (and Germany!) assembled at The York House in Milton Keynes. This location would be the Virtual Area Control Centre (vACC) which would control all London sectors and London Heathrow approach and aerodrome positions. We had two rooms which split the area controllers from the aerodrome controllers which made it more realistic for our controllers, and making use of handheld radios for both rooms to keep in contact with each other. Throughout the event we estimated we controlled around 400 different aircraft which kept us very busy at the vACC. Overall, the event was a great success with a large amount of pilots expressing how great the event was through the forums. We also have a number of pictures from aircraft (http://gb.forum.ivao.aero/index.php?topic=261354.0) and also from controllers which are posted on the our Facebook page. We would like to thank everyone who flew to the event, but we couldn’t have done it without the controllers that attended, and for your efforts you have all been awarded the Divisional Meeting award:
Tim Berry William Bruce Carl Chamberlain Chris Globe Paul Jones Simon Laqueur Ben Leonard Jamie Martin Dan Nicholas Nige Pay Jack Plumb Chris Prophet Jon Reeves Danny Richmond Graeme Wright
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airways VFR BASICS Flying the VFR Circuit In this edition of Airways we will be teaching you the basics of flying the VFR circuit. We will be teaching you how to fly the circuit and communicate with online Air Traffic positions online. A VFR circuit is a visual path which takes an aircraft from a runway, round a path onto the same runway. The circuit is flown in five legs: upwind, crosswind, downwind, base and final. These are illustrated in the image below:
Flying the circuit is relatively easy, however many pilots become confused by the communications between pilot and controller. Whilst on the ground, unlike IFR, you will taxi before you receive your clearance. Your clearance will include a number of pieces of information such as: circuit direction (left or right), maximum circuit height, and squawk code (to enter into your transponder). Once you have readback the clearance the controller will allow you to take off. The following transcript is of a VFR flight by G-HGFD, remaining in the circuit at Bournemouth: G-HGFD: “Bournemouth Tower, evening, GHGFD is a Cessna 172 with Zulu, request taxi for circuits.” EGHH_TWR: “GHGFD, Bournemouth, evening, taxi G1 runway 26 via G, QNH 1004” The controller can shorten your callsign to three G-HGFD: “Taxi G1 runway 26 via G, QNH 1004, GHGFD” letters eg. GHGFD to GFD. (During the taxi, the controller has gained his clearance) This will be done if the controller knows there are EGHH_TWR: GFD, I have you clearance if you are ready to no other aircraft with similar callsigns copy.” G-HGFD: “Ready to copy, GFD.” EGHH_TWR: “GFD, Cleared Right hand circuits 26, not above height 1200, QFE 1003, Squawk 7350.” G-HGFD: “Roger, Cleared right hand circuits 26, not above height 1200, QFE 1003, Squawk 7350, GFD.” EGHH_TWR: “GFD, Read back correct, report ready for departure.” G-HGFD: “Wilco, GFD” This is most commonly done on the ground, but clearance can also be received in the air, for example, if you were routing from another airfield and entered Bournemouth’s controlled airspace for circuits.
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airways During the clearance you will also notice the controller said height and not altitude, this is why: HEIGHT = QFE = This setting on your altimeter will cause the altimeter to be at “0ft” on the airfield. ALTITUDE = QNH = Used mainly by aircraft leaving the circuit, this altimeter setting will display the mean sea level on the altimeter. When on the ground this will read the field elevation. EGHH = 38ft
Now you have received your clearance, you will what to get airborne and fly the circuit. G-HGFD: “Tower, GFD holding point G1 runway 26, ready for departure.” EGHH_TWR: “GFD, Runway 26, cleared for takeoff, surface winds 230 degrees, 5 knots.” G-HGFD: “Cleared for takeoff, GFD” Now you are cleared to depart, you can now fly the circuit as shown in the illustration to the left and in the direction and height told in the clearance. Your next call will be on the “downwind” leg, on this leg you will need to tell the controller what you want to you (your intentions). This could be a number of things; these are a few popular intentions:
Touch and Go - Touch the runway with your undercarriage and depart back into the circuit without stopping. Stop and Go – Land on the runway, stop your aircraft, then depart back into the circuit. Full stop – This is a normal landing, vacating the runway and the requesting taxi for ether parking or hold point.
This would be called like so: G-HGFD: “GFD, downwind for touch and go.” EGHH_TWR: “GFD, roger, report final.” G-HGFD: “Roger report final, GFD.” Your next call will be on the “final” leg which is the leg where you are lined up for a landing. G-HGFD: “Final, GFD” EGHH_TWR: “GFD, roger, cleared touch and go runway 26, surface winds 230 degrees, 5 knots” G-HGFD: “Cleared touch and go, GFD” Now you know the basics to VFR circuit flying! For more information on flying VFR click here.
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airways DESTINATION GUIDE Brighton City Airport (Shoreham Airport) - EGKA Brighton City Airport is located directly south of the A27 between Brighton and Worthing. The airport is currently used by privately owned aircraft and pilot instruction with a number of flying schools at the airport. The airfield also provides maintenance for light aircraft and helicopters on site. Before 1981, the airfield was all grass. The tarmac runway was built in that year allowing for a wide range of aircraft, opening the airfield to more people. Currently there are four runways, three grass and one asphalt. The airport is also directly on the coast, making it ideal for some awesome VFR Coastal flights. The airport on IVAO has no rating, which means you can control from day one! We do recommend you read local procedures and be confident with controlling on the IVAO network.
EVENTS UPDATE BY ALEXANDER CLOVER (GB-EC) Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who attended The Real Heathrow RFE in March. It was a great success and we look forward to next year. This month sees the return of another airbridge but between two extremely busy airports, London Heathrow and Amsterdam! The event will take place on 7 April 2015 from 1700z until 2100z. There are a number of air traffic positions available and bookings can be made through the forum and the ATC booking system. Routes for the airbridge have been predesignated so it is a lot easier for the controllers with the high volume of traffic that is expected. All information can be found in the events forum: http://gb.forum.ivao.aero/index.php?topic=261812.0
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airways TOURS Below are the available 2015 tours ready to fly now!
IFR 2015 British Airways Tour Come fly some of British Airways most popular and busiest routes. From small hops to large routes stretching all the way to the Maldives, you will not get bored of the destinations available. Click here to start
IFR 2015 Ryanair Tour Ryanair is one of the top budget airlines In Europe. This tour will be following Ryanairs routes, starting and finishing at Ryanairs home airport, Dublin, you will see most of Europe. Click here to start
VFR 2015 London FIR Tour Fly VFR around the London FIR. Throughout this tour your will fly 21 legs with a total distance of 797 miles. Click here to start
VFR 2015 Scottish FIR Tour Scotland has some of the best scenery for VFR flying and this tour will give you the opportunity of visit some of these places. Click here to start
VFR 2015 Ireland Tour This 11 leg tour will visit VFR airfields all over Ireland. Take in some of the best countryside VFR flying with great views of the Emerald Isle. Click here to start
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airways AWARDS BY CHRIS PROPHET (GB-DIR) On behalf of the staff and members here at IVAO United Kingdom & Ireland, congratulations on gaining one of the awards.
Giuseppe Messina completed the 2015 VFR EGTT Tour. Petr Manda completed the 2015 VFR EGPX Tour. Silvano Orlati completed the 2015 VFR EGPX Tour. Guy Bellec completed the 2015 VFR EGPX Tour. Norman Guenzel completed the 2015 IFR British Airways Tour. Silvano Orlati completed the 2015 IFR Ryanair Tour. Silvano Orlati completed the 2015 VFR Ireland Tour. Jamie Martin gained the controller rating of APC. Tim Berry gained the controller rating of APC. Jamie Martin gained the pilot rating of SPP. Danny Richmond gaining the Pilot Assistance Award. Barry Ford completed the 2015 VFR Ireland Tour. Christoph Reule completed the 2015 VFR Ireland Tour. Barry Ford completed the 2015 VFR EGTT Tour. Mario Alvarez Fernandez completed the 2015 VFR EGPX Tour.
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airways Can you complete this simple word search? Email your completed puzzles to gb-prc@ivao.aero
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