¶ Introduction
Tower Controller is responsible for any operations on the Runways and traffic within CTR. He is the one which chooses runway in use.
¶ Guidelines
Before conecting as TWR, you need knowledge of at least the following:
- Delivery SOP
- Ground SOP
- Airspace classification.
- Dimensions of your CTR and any other adjacent airspace elements.
- Runway in use and how to choose it (Prefferential Runway System & Noise Abatement Procedures).
- Wake turbulence and separation minima.
- Aerodrome Traffic Circuit.
- VMC.
- VFR/IFR flight rules.
- VFR and Helicopter Procedures.
- AS1 - AS3 Documentation.
Note - If Delivery and/or Ground is not online or not available on the airport, Tower is responsible for their duties.
¶ Runway in use
As a TWR Controller you are responsible for choosing RWY in use. You have to consider a few things:
- Wind.
Current wind from METAR. Checking TAF for predicted wind is highly advisable.
When under 5kt refer to prefferential runway usage. - Noise abatement procedures.
- Any safety reasons.
It might for instance be weather and predicted windshear, then it is advisable to change the RWY.
Note - Aircraft commander might request a different RWY for departure for safety or other operational reasons. U should whenever possible help the crew in such cases and try to accomodate requested runway.
¶ Aerodrome traffic circuit
The aerodrome traffic circuit consists of five segments and four turns (see picture below). While not explicitly stated in the definition, it is normally used by aircraft flying under VFR or conducting visual approaches or departures. The two main features definig the circuit are the runway and the turn direction. With respect to the latter, circuits can be "left hand" (all turns are made to the left) or "right hand" (right turns only).
The chart above depicts traffic circuit. Blue dots represent first, second, third and fourth turn.
Red as follows:
| Position on chart | Description |
|---|---|
| A | Upwind |
| B | Crosswind |
| C | Downwind |
| D | Base leg |
| E | Final |
More on traffic circuit here (PL)
Standard traffic circuit unless specified:
- Left turns
- 1000ft AGL
¶ Take-off / Landing and movement in CTR
You are mainly responsible for:
- Operations on the runway.
- Separating departing and arriving traffic.
- VFR flights within your CTR.
- Maintaining traffic flow.
How to provide ATC for VFR fligth within CTR here (PL)
¶ Separation minima
Separation is based on aircraft wake turbulence categories and can be maintained by means of time or radar distance.
¶ Time based separation minima
¶ Arriving aircraft
| Proceeding aircraft | Required separation |
|---|---|
| Medium behind Heavy | 2 minutes |
| Light behind Medium or Heavy | 3 minutes |
¶ Departing aircraft
When the aircraft are using the same runway following separation shall be provided:
| Proceeding aircraft | Required separation |
|---|---|
| Light or Medium behind Heavy | 2 minutes |
| Light behind Medium | 2 minutes |
When the aircraft are using intermediate part of the same runway following separation shall be provided:
| Proceeding aircraft | Required separation |
|---|---|
| Light or Medium behind Heavy | 3 minutes |
| Light behind Medium | 3 minutes |
¶ Distance based separation for departing aircraft
| Proceeding aircraft | Required separation |
|---|---|
| Medium behind Medium | 4 NM |
| Heavy behind Heavy | 4 NM |
| Medium behind Heavy | 5 NM |
| Light behind Heavy | 6 NM |
| Light behind Medium | 5 NM |
¶ VMC
Visual Meteorogical Conditions. In simple words: minimum weather conditions that must be present so that VFR fligth can be cleared and safely conducted. They differ slightly depending on altitude and airspace class.
*See attachment
On a controlled aerodrome however with METAR available you're looking for at least 5km visibility and cloud base not below 1500ft - these are your minima for clearing VFR flight.
Note - a pilot can whenever he wishes to set VMC in his sim stating that in the RMK section of his flight plan.
¶ Airspace Classes
Each and every airspace element, is assigned with a specific class - A, B, C, D, E, F or G. Each designates rules to be followed.
In FIR EPWW we have classes C, D and G.
You need to be familiar with them:
ATS Airspace classes
¶ Phraseology
Examples of standard phraseology used on TWR frequency.
Departing IFR flight:
Pilot: Kraków Tower LOT345 holding point Alpha runway 25.
ATC: LOT345 Kraków Tower, lineup runway 25 and wait.
Pilot: Lineup Runway 25 and wait LOT345.
ATC: LOT345 Wind 260 degrees 8 kts, runway 25 cleared for Take Off, after departure contact Kraków Approach 121.075.
Pilot: Cleared for Take Off runway 25, after departure contact Kraków Approach 121.075.
Arriving IFR flight:
Pilot: Kraków Tower LOT345 established ILS approach runway 25
ATC: LOT345 Kraków Tower Hello, wind 220 degrees 5 kts continue approach runway 25.
Pilot: Continue approach Runway 25 LOT345.
ATC: LOT345 wind 220 degrees 5 kts runway 25 cleared to land.
Pilot: Cleared to land runway 25 LOT345.
After vacating the runway:
ATC: LOT345 Hold short of Bravo, contact Kraków Ground 118.105.
Pilot: Hold short of Bravo, contact Kraków Ground 118.105 LOT345.
¶ Additional phraseology
¶ VFR Flights
VFR Flight phraseology is covered here
VFR Leaving CTR:
ATC: SP-ABC you're leaving Controlled Zone, Air Traffic Control Service is terminated, monitor UNICOM 122.800.
Pilot: Monitor UNICOM 122.800 SP-ABC.
¶ Conditional Line up clearance
You can and whenever possible should use such procedure.
With departing traffic behind ladning traffic:
ATC: LOT345 confirm Airbus A320 on 3 miles final in sight.
Pilot: Traffic in sight LOT345.
ATC: LOT345 Behind landing Airbus line up runway 25 and wait behind.
Pilot: Behind landing Airbus lining up runway 25 and waiting behind LOT345.
Note - the word behind shall always be repeated at the end of conditional lineup clearance.
With 2 departing aircraft:
ATC: LOT345 Behind departing Boeing 737 line up runway 25 and wait behind.
Pilot: Behind departing Boeing 737 lining up runway 25 and waiting behind LOT345.
¶ Go around
Initiated by ATC:
ATC: LOT345 Go around I say again go around acknowledge.
Pilot: Going around LOT345.
ATC: (...) Contact Kraków Approach 121.075.
Initiated by Pilot:
Pilot: LOT345 Going Around.
ATC: LOT345 roger (...) Contact Kraków Approach 121.075.
Pilot: (...) Contact Kraków Approach 121.075.
Note - (...) - you should specify instructions. Either Runway Heading + climb to specific altitude or Standard Missed Approach Procedure. It shall be coordinated with Approach.
These are basic guidelines. For more information refer to IVAO Documentation and local procedures.
Should you have any questions, IVAO Training Department is always happy to assist you.