DOCUMENT NUMBER

GSM-E-ATP.091_92

DOCUMENT TITLE

EASA COMMUNICATIONS

CHAPTER 6: AERODROME CONTROL VFR 2

Version 2.2
July 2019

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reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means,
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission, in
writing, from the Chief Executive Officer of Flight Training Adelaide.
 CHAPTER 6
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CONTENTS
1. OBJECTIVES IN DETAIL ...................................................................................................3
2. CIRCUIT JOINING INSTRUCTIONS ..................................................................................3
3. AERODROME TRAFFIC CIRCUIT .....................................................................................3
4. FINAL APPROACH AND LANDING ...................................................................................4
5. INSPECTIONS ON ARRIVAL .............................................................................................5
6. OVERSHOOT OR ‘GO AROUND’ ......................................................................................6
7. TAXI AFTER LANDING ......................................................................................................7
8. ESSENTIAL AERODROME INFORMATION ......................................................................8
9. VFR DEPARTURES AND ARRIVALS ................................................................................9
9.1. VFR DEPARTURES......................................................................................................9
9.2. VFR DEPARTURE: INITIAL PILOT CALL TO APPROACH ......................................... 9
9.3. VFR ARRIVALS ..........................................................................................................10
10. EXAMPLES OF TEST QUESTIONS ...............................................................................11

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1. OBJECTIVES IN DETAIL
• Aerodrome traffic and circuits.
• Final approach and landing.
• After landing
• Essential aerodrome information.
• VFR Departures and Arrivals

2. CIRCUIT JOINING INSTRUCTIONS

Requests for instructions to join circuit traffic should be made in sufficient time to allow
for a planned entry into the circuit.
Where no ATIS broadcast is provided the controller will pass on the aerodrome data.
Walden Tower, G-ABCD, Cessna 172, 10 miles south, 2500 feet, for landing
G-CD, join downwind runway 24, wind 270 degrees 5 knots, QNH 1012
Join downwind runway 24, QNH 1012, G-CD

If the ATIS is available, the pilot should acknowledge it in the initial call to the
aerodrome.
When the circuit pattern is right-hand it shall be specified. A left-hand need not
be specified although it is essential to do so when the circuit direction is
variable.
Walden Tower, G-ABCD, 10 miles north, 2500 feet, Information B, for landing
G-CD, join right hand downwind runway 34, wind 330 degrees 10 knots, QNH 1012
Join right hand downwind runway 34, QNH 1012, G-CD

Pilots may be asked to make a straight in approach depending on traffic conditions

and the direction it is arriving.

Walden Tower, G-ABCD, Cessna 172, 10 miles north, 2500 feet, for landing
G-CD, make straight in approach runway 16, wind 190 degrees 5 knots, QNH 1009
Straight in runway 16, QNH 1009 G-CD

3. AERODROME TRAFFIC CIRCUIT

Having joined the circuit, make routine reports as per local procedures:
• Aircraft report ‘Downwind’ according to local procedures.
• Clearance to land may be issued anywhere between mid downwind and final as
practicable.

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• A final report is made when an aircraft turns onto final within 4nm from
touchdown
• If and when the turn onto final is made at a greater distance, than 4nm, a long
final report is made.
• Aircraft flying a straight in approach between 4 nm and 8nm are to report ‘Long
Final’ and if no landing clearance is received at that time a ‘Final’ report is made
at 4 nm from touchdown.

Landing clearance
issued as
practicable.

Wind

Long final report from

8-4 miles when
aircraft is in a straight
in approach

It may be necessary to coordinate traffic by issuing delaying or expediting instructions:

e.g. to extend downwind or upwind or to make an orbit.

4. FINAL APPROACH AND LANDING

The landing/touch and go clearance will include the runway designator.

If runway is obstructed when an aircraft makes its final report at 4 nm or less but the
runway is expected to be available - the controller will delay the landing clearance -
“Continue approach” The controller may or may not explain why the landing clearance
has been delayed.

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BIGJET 347, long final

BIGJET 347, continue approach, wind 260 / 10 knots BIGJET 347

BIGJET 347, final

BIGJET 347, runway 27, cleared to land, wind 270 12 knots
Runway 27, cleared to land, BIGJET 347
BIGJET 347

When a Controller cancels a landing clearance, but feels it will be reissued in good
time for the aircraft to make a safe landing, he should advise the pilot the reason for
cancelling the clearance.

5. INSPECTIONS ON ARRIVAL

A pilot may request to fly past the control tower or other observation point in order to
get an observation from the ground of a suspected or non-normal condition by
requesting low pass.
BIGJET 347, request low pass, unsafe left gear indication
BIGJET 347, cleared low pass runway 27, not below 500 feet, report final
Runway 27, not below 500 feet, Wilco, BIGJET 347

If the low pass is made for the purpose of observing the undercarriage, one of the
following replies could be used to describe its condition:
• LANDING GEAR APPEARS DOWN
• RIGHT (or LEFT, or NOSE) WHEEL APPEARS UP (or DOWN)
• WHEELS APPEAR UP (or DOWN)
• RIGHT (or LEFT, or NOSE) WHEEL DOES NOT APPEAR UP (or DOWN)

For training purposes a pilot may request permission to make a low approach along or
parallel to the runway without landing
G-ABCD, request low approach, runway 09 for training
G-ABCD, cleared low approach, runway 09, not below 250 feet, report final
Runway 09, not below 250 feet, Wilco, G-ABCD.

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6. OVERSHOOT OR ‘GO AROUND’

These instructions may be given to avert an unsafe situation

A missed approach, whether instructed to make one, or decided by the crew, is a time
of high workload. Any transmissions should be brief and kept to a minimum.
Unless the pilot receives instructions to the contrary:
• Aircraft operating VFR will continue in the normal traffic pattern.
• An aircraft on an instrument approach will carry out the published missed
approach procedure
• In the event that the pilot initiates the missed approach the phrase "Going
around" shall be used.

Big Jet 345, go around, aircraft on the runway

Going around, Big Jet 345

If the controller requests it the phrase “Go around” shall be used.

Big Jet 345, going around

Big Jet 345, roger report downwind
Big Jet 345, Wilco

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7. TAXI AFTER LANDING

Unless absolutely necessary, Controllers will not direct taxi instructions to pilots until
the landing roll is complete.
Unless otherwise advised, pilots should remain on the Tower frequency until the
runway is vacated.
BIGJET 347 vacate left
Vacate left, BIGJET 347
BIGJET 347 when vacated contact Ground 118.450
When vacated 118.450, BIGJET 347

Kennington Ground, BIGJET 347 runway vacated

BIGJET 347 Kennington Ground, taxi to Stand 27 via taxiway A
Taxi to Stand 27 via taxiway A BIGJET 347

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8. ESSENTIAL AERODROME INFORMATION

Essential Aerodrome information is information regarding the manoeuvring area and its
associated facilities. It is necessary to ensure safe aircraft operation. It should be
passed where possible prior to start, taxi or commencement of final approach except
when it is known that the aircraft has received all or part of the information from other
sources.
Examples of information include:
Construction work on or adjacent to movement area

CATHAY 345 caution construction work at end of Stand 34

Caution men and equipment operating adjacent to taxi-way Charlie
CATHAY 345 work in progress ahead, North side of taxiway A

Rough or broken surfaces on taxiway, runway or apron

Temporary hazards: parked aircraft, birds on ground or in air.

Caution large flock of birds north of runway 27 near centre taxi-way

Fire and rescue services reduced

FOOD reported on taxi way
Snow, slush, ice on a taxiway, runway, apron
Water on a runway
Failure or irregular operation of part or all of the aerodrome lighting systems
BIGJET 347 centreline taxiway lighting unserviceable

BIGJET 347 PAPI Runway 27 unserviceable.

Any other pertinent information

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9. VFR DEPARTURES AND ARRIVALS

9.1. VFR DEPARTURES

At many airports, a single approach control unit handles both arrivals and departures.
At busier airports, departures and arrivals may be handled separately by specific
arrival and departure control units.
Departing in VMC, a pilot is able to maintain separation from terrain by looking out the
window.
A VFR departure may be assigned a radar heading below LSALT/MSA provided the
word VISUAL is appended to the instruction. This signifies that even though the
aircraft is under ATC control, it remains the pilot responsibility to separate from terrain.
In most circumstances, the departure instruction will be passed as a separate
instruction to the take-off clearance.
G-CD maintain runway heading visual until reaching 2500 feet prior to turning onto
departure track.
Maintain runway heading visual until reaching 2500 feet prior to turning onto departure
track, G-CD.
G-CD correct, runway 14, cleared for take off.
Runway 14, cleared for take off, G-CD

9.2. VFR DEPARTURE: INITIAL PILOT CALL TO APPROACH

The Tower controller will tell the pilot to contact the Approach ATSU after departure.
The aircraft must provide the following information:
• Call sign
• Departure route and conditions, runway heading or visual
• Current level or passing PLUS
• Initial climb level.

• Borton Approach, G-ABCD airborne RWY 14, runway heading, visual, passing 700
climbing to 2500 feet.
• G-CD Borton Approach, report reaching 2500 feet
• Wilco, G-CD

At this point in the departure ATC may apply other headings for separation with IFR
aircraft.

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Approach control may pass on information about known traffic in order to assist pilot
maintain his own separation.
Prior to leaving the CTA the aircraft will normally be re-established on track or given a
position and displacement from track and a suggested heading to re-intercept.
G-CD, position 1 mile to the left of the Borton Wellington track, turn right heading 120
for pilot intercept, resume own navigation.
Right 120, pilot intercept, G-CD

If a VFR flight is handled by an Approach control, pilots should report leaving

the Control zone:
ATC will then pass the aircraft onto the next ATSU
Borton Approach, G-ABCD passing the Control zone Boundary
G-CD, Contact Alexander Information 125.750
125.750, G-CD

9.3. VFR ARRIVALS

Depending on the procedures in use, VFR pilots may be required to establish contact
with the approach control unit and request instructions before entering its area of
jurisdiction. Where there is an ATIS broadcast the pilots should acknowledge if it has
been received. If no ATIS is broadcast, the approach controller will pass the
aerodrome data.
Stephenville Approach, G-DCDN
G-DCDN, Stephenville Approach
G-DCDN, C172, from Waldon to Stephenville, 2500 feet, control zone boundary 52,
Stephenville 02, Information Golf.
G-DN, cleared to Stephenville, VFR, QNH 1012, Traffic southbound Cherokee 2000
feet VFR estimating control zone boundary 53
Cleared to Stephenville VFR, QNH 1012, traffic in sight, G-DN
G-DN, report aerodrome in sight
WILCO, G-DN
G-DN, aerodrome in sight
G-DN, contact Tower 118.5
118.5, G-DN

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10. EXAMPLES OF TEST QUESTIONS

1. A long final report should be given:

a. At any distance greater than 8 miles from the threshold.
b. Between 8 and 4 miles from the threshold.
c. At any distance less than 8 miles from the threshold.
d. Between 4 miles and the threshold of the runway in use.

2. What does the instruction "Go around" mean?

a. Make a 360° turn
b. Proceed with your message
c. Carry out a missed approach
d. Overtake the aircraft ahead.

3. ATC joining instructions should always specify:

a. Whether the circuit is right-handed or has a variable direction
b. Whether the circuit is right-handed
c. If the circuit is left handed
d. The circuit direction in all cases.

4. Essential aerodrome information regarding the manoeuvring area necessary to

ensure safe operation of aircraft should be passed to aircraft whenever possible
…….. and …….. .
a. Before start up or taxi before commencing final approach
b. Before start up or taxi before landing clearance is given
c. Before taxi clearance is given before landing clearance given
d. Before taxi clearance is given before commencing final approach

5. Which of these phrases is used to inform the control tower that a pilot perform a
missed approach?
a. Going around
b. Overshooting
c. Will make another approach
d. Pulling up.

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6. You have landed at a fully controlled airfield and slowed to taxi speed. How
should you vacate the runway?
a. Vacate the runway as soon as you believe it can be done safely.
b. Wait for clearance from the tower, then acknowledge and taxi off the
runway as cleared.
c. Backtrack up the runway to the holding point.

7. You are given traffic information by ATS, and can see the aircraft. How should
you respond?
a. Call sign and Copied the traffic'
b. Call sign and Looking for traffic'
c. Call sign and Traffic in sight'.

8. You are given traffic information by ATS, but cannot see the aircraft. How should
you respond?
a. Call sign and Copied the traffic'
b. Call sign and Looking for traffic' or ‘Negative contact’
c. Call sign and Traffic in sight'.

9. To indicate that he is no longer occupying the active runway a pilot shall report to
the controller:
a. Runway cleared
b. Runway free
c. Clear of runway
d. Runway vacated.

10. A “FINAL” call is made when the aircraft turns on to final approach within …….
from the landing threshold:
a. 8 nm
b. 8 km
c. 15 km
d. 4 nm

11. After landing, pilots should:

a. Remain on tower frequency until clear of the runway
b. Change to ground control frequency at the end of the landing run
c. Request taxi instructions
d. Await instructions from ATC.

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12. A “LONG FINAL” call is made when the aircraft turns on to final approach within
……. from touchdown.
a. 8 nm
b. 8 km
c. 18 km
d. 4 nm.

13. GOING AROUND means that the pilot:

a. is carrying out a missed approach procedure.
b. is continuing in the hold
c. is taxiing back to the apron
d. is returning to the reporting point

14. What does the instruction ‘vacate left’ mean?

a. Turn left to leave the runway
b. Give way to aircraft on the left
c. Clear the runway immediately
d. Hold position on left side of the runway.

15. An aircraft departs for a VFR flight from Rijeka airport. What should the pilot
transmit to ATC?
a. Rijeka Approach, 9A-ABC, out of the control zone
b. Rijeka Approach, 9A-ABC, passing the control zone boundary
c. Zone boundary passed, 9A-ABC
d. Rijeka Approach, 9A-ABC, clear from control zone

16. When should a pilot report "runway vacated"?

a. As soon as his aircraft is on the taxiway with taxi speed
b. As soon as his entire aircraft has passed over the holding point
c. As soon as the aircraft nose is beyond the limits of the runway
d. As soon as he has passed over the touchdown zone on the far end of the
runway

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17. You have just landed and vacated the runway. ATC gives you taxi instructions all
the way to the apron, which you acknowledge. Afterwards, ATC Instructs you to
"Monitor Ground on 121.8" What should you do?
a. Continue taxiing, change to 121.8 and call ATC
b. Continue taxiing, change frequency to 121.8 and listen out for further
instructions
c. Stop after crossing the double hold line on the exit taxiway. Change to
121.8 and call ATC
d. Stop after crossing the double hold line on the exit taxiway. Change
frequency to 121.8 and wait for ATC to call you.

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