AFIS

• Uncontrolled airfield
• IFR procedures

Uncontrolled airfield

Upon obtaining your student rating, you will advance to Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS) training and eventually qualify to provide AFIS within your assigned virtual Area Control Center (vACC). This manual serves as a reference throughout your training and operational duties.

While this guide remains general, specific procedures may vary between Flight Information Regions (FIRs) and should be adapted accordingly.

Role of the AFIS Officer

Unlike air traffic controllers, AFIS officers do not issue instructions or clearances to aircraft. Instead, they provide traffic information and operational details to assist pilots in maintaining situational awareness.

One key phrase, "Runway occupied," alerts ground traffic to remain clear of the runway until informed that it is available. Similarly, airborne aircraft notified of an occupied runway must ensure they do not interfere with another aircraft operating under a "No reported traffic runway XX" advisory. Pilots are responsible for maintaining separation from active approach, departure, and missed approach paths.

Objectives of This Guide

This guide outlines the responsibilities of an AFIS officer, including:

• Providing accurate traffic information to pilots.
• Relaying IFR clearances received from ATC units.
• Understanding AFIS limitations regarding clearances and instructions.
• Ensuring effective AFIS service delivery while operating within established regulatory boundaries.

Uncontrolled Airfields

An uncontrolled airfield is an aerodrome without Air Traffic Control (ATC), where flight operations are managed through AFIS or pilot self-announcements.

Surrounding Airspace

Uncontrolled airfields are usually located in Class G airspace, where both IFR and VFR flights operate. If IFR procedures exist, a Radio Mandatory Zone (RMZ) is established around the aerodrome.

Within an RMZ:

• Pilots must adhere to Class G airspace visibility and cloud clearance minima.
• Continuous radio monitoring and transmissions on the RMZ frequency are required.
• The designated aerodrome frequency is used for all communications.

Where IFR traffic is present, Class E airspace may extend down to 1,000 ft AGL.

Uncontrolled airfields without IFR procedures generally follow a naming convention that combines the nearest town name with "Radio" (e.g., Bouarfa Radio). Exceptions are listed in VFR charts and the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP).

Aerodrome Layout and Traffic Patterns

Larger uncontrolled aerodromes resemble controlled airfields and typically feature:

• Runways (paved or grass).
• Taxiways connecting runways to aprons.
• Designated parking areas for aircraft.

Grass airstrips may lack taxiways, requiring pilots to specify which side of the runway they will use for taxiing.

Traffic Circuit Operations

The traffic circuit helps maintain orderly arrivals and departures. It follows a rectangular flight pattern at 1,000 ft AGL, unless otherwise published.

A standard circuit consists of left-hand turns, although variations exist due to noise abatement, terrain, or operational requirements. These deviations are detailed in VFR Approach Charts (VACs).

If no official circuit is published, pilots establish their own routing based on safety considerations, minimum altitudes, and noise abatement procedures.

Traffic Circuit Phases

Runway Selection & Meteorological Conditions

Similar to controlled aerodromes, the active runway is chosen based on:

• Wind direction and speed.
• Local regulations and procedures.

The active runway is a guideline for pilots, who may select an alternative for operational or safety reasons. Most uncontrolled airfields lack certified barometric pressure (QNH) equipment. In such cases, pilots set QNH manually using the aerodrome elevation (MSL).

Limitations of AFIS Authority

A core principle of AFIS is that clearances and instructions are not issued to aircraft. However, in some cases, ground movement control (e.g., taxiing and parking) may be delegated to AFIS officers by the aerodrome operator.

Communications Procedures

Initial Contact & Establishing Communication

VFR aircraft arriving at or departing an uncontrolled aerodrome must initiate radio contact on the AFIS frequency.

Pilot: Bouarfa Radio, CN-AKM.
AFIS: CN-AKM, Bouarfa Radio.

Once contact is established, the pilot states their intentions.

Arriving Traffic

After the initial call, an inbound aircraft transmits the following details:

• Call sign
• Aircraft type
• Current position (distance and altitude)
• Intentions (e.g., landing, touch-and-go, etc.)

In addition, pilots may also report:

• Departure aerodrome
• Persons on board

Pilot: CN-AKM, C172, VFR from Oujda 8 miles north of field, 2,200 feet, for landing.
AFIS: CN-AKM, runway 27, glider activity south of the field.

Pilots should continue self-announcing their positions during circuit operations. Callsigns may be abbreviated only if first done by the ground station.

Departing Traffic

Departing pilots must request taxi instructions (if required) and receive traffic information.

Pilot: CN-AKM, C172, VFR to Nador, apron, request taxi information.
AFIS: CN-AKM, runway 27.

If ground movement control is provided by the aerodrome operator, AFIS officers may issue taxi instructions.

AFIS: CN-AKM, runway 27 via eastern grass area / taxiway S.

Before takeoff, wind conditions are typically provided.

AFIS: Wind 240 degrees, 9 knots.

Traffic Awareness & Special Operations

Traffic Information

Since AFIS does not include radar services, traffic information is provided based on visual observations and pilot reports.

Pilot: CN-AKM, holding point runway 27, ready for departure.
AFIS: CN-AKM, traffic information, Cessna 172 departing runway 27.
Pilot: CN-AKM, traffic in sight, lining up runway 27.

Night VFR (NVFR) & Special Procedures

Night VFR (NVFR) requires:

• A filed flight plan (if leaving the aerodrome vicinity).
• Use of "VFR Night" in all radio calls.
• Verification that the aerodrome is NVFR-approved.

Pilot: CN-AKM, C172, VFR Night to Melilla, at the apron, request taxi information.
AFIS: CN-AKM, runway 27.

If transitioning into Class E airspace, the pilot must contact ATC for further clearance.

Emergency Procedures

Emergencies at uncontrolled aerodromes are managed similarly to controlled airports:

• The aerodrome is closed to all traffic.
• Pilots are informed of the emergency.
• Once resolved, normal operations resume.

IFR procedures

IFR flights are permitted at uncontrolled aerodromes if the following criteria are met:

1. The aerodrome has published IFR approach procedures.
2. A Radio Mandatory Zone (RMZ) is established in Class G airspace surrounding the aerodrome.

While AFIS officers do not issue instructions or clearances, the phrase “Runway occupied” indicates that pilots on the ground must remain clear of the runway until notified that no traffic is reported using the runway.

For airborne traffic, a pilot informed of an occupied runway must ensure they do not interfere with an aircraft that has received a "No reported traffic runway XX" advisory. Pilots are responsible for maintaining separation from departure paths, approach paths, and missed approach routes.

• English is required for all IFR communications.
• Mixed IFR/VFR operations increase complexity at IFR-capable uncontrolled aerodromes.
• Pilots must establish communication on the published frequency before entering the RMZ.
• If no AFIS service is available, pilots must use UNICOM 122.800.

Pilot: Plage Blanche Information, F-ABCD, C182, 7nm south of the airfield, 1,700 feet, crossing RMZ northbound.

While inside the RMZ, pilots must continuously monitor the published frequency. AFIS officers do not need to acknowledge routine position reports.

ATIS for IFR Aerodromes

The Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) provides standard arrival and departure information for both IFR and VFR flights.

• ATIS messages are generated automatically via the controller client.
• Each FIR has a specific ATIS provider for uncontrolled IFR aerodromes.
• Contact your FIR mentors to set up ATIS at your assigned location.

Departing IFR Traffic

Below is a flight strip example for RAM1439, a AT72 Caravan departing Bouarfa (GMFB) to Casablanca (GMMN), following the route OLMAG W255 FES R975 SADIC.

Initial Clearance Request

Pilot: Bouarfa Information, RAM1439, information Alpha, request IFR clearance.
AFIS: RAM1439, Bouarfa  Information, check information Bravo, standby for clearance.

Relaying IFR Clearances

Important Notes:
✅ AFIS stations CANNOT issue IFR clearances.
✅ AFIS must request clearance from the responsible ATC unit (Approach or Center).
✅ ATC clearance is relayed verbatim to the pilot.

Requesting IFR Clearance from ATC

AFIS: Casablanca Radar, Bouarfa Information.
ATC: Go ahead.
AFIS: RAM1439 at Bouarfa requests IFR clearance to Casablanca via OLMAG.
ATC: RAM1439 is cleared to Casablanca aerodrome, visual departure, BRF W255 OLMAG flight planned route, climb FL170, squawk 3446, released.
AFIS (Relay to Pilot): RAM1439, Casablanca Radar clears you to Casablanca aerodrome, visual departure, BRG W255 OLMAG planned route, climb FL170, squawk 3446, depart not earlier than 40, not later than 55.
ATC: Readback correct.

Relaying the Clearance to the Pilot

AFIS: RAM1439, Bouarfa Information, clearance now available, advise ready to copy.
Pilot: RAM1439, ready to copy.
AFIS: RAM1439, Casablanca Radar clears you to Casablanca aerodrome, visual departure, BRF W255 OLMAG planned route, climb FL170, squawk 3446, depart not earlier than 40, not later than 55.
Pilot: Cleared to Casablanca, visual departure, BRF W255 OLMAG flight planned route, climb FL170, squawk 3446, depart not earlier than 40, not later than 55.
AFIS: Readback correct, startup approved, runway 27 via S.
Pilot: Startup approved, runway 27 via S.

Vectored Departure (if no SID assigned)

AFIS: RAM1439, Casablanca Radar clears you to Casablanca, radar vectors OLMAG, flight planned route, fly runway heading, climb 5000 feet, squawk 3446, depart not earlier than 40, not later than 55.

Approaching IFR Traffic

Inbound IFR flights follow a similar process, requiring coordination between ATC and AFIS.

ATC to AFIS Handoff

• ATC notifies AFIS of expected IFR traffic on final approach.
• Once stabilized on final approach, ATC transfers the aircraft to the AFIS frequency.

Pilot: RAM1439, AT72, established ILS runway 27, 6,000 feet.
AFIS: RAM1439, wind 190 degrees, 4 knots, no further traffic / one VFR light on downwind.

Key Considerations for IFR Arrivals

• IFR traffic does NOT have priority over VFR flights.
• Inside the RMZ, IFR pilots must follow "see and avoid" rules, like VFR aircraft.
• VFR flights are not required to give way to IFR traffic but may choose to.
• AFIS cannot issue landing clearances—pilots must self-announce intentions.
• If necessary, pilots may initiate a go-around and coordinate a new approach with ATC.

AFIS Limitations at IFR Aerodromes

• Uncontrolled IFR aerodromes require higher coordination due to mixed IFR/VFR operations.
• AFIS stations can relay ATC instructions but cannot control IFR traffic.
• Pilots must self-announce and maintain situational awareness at all times.