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IFR procedures

Aerodromes with IFR Procedures

Introduction to IFR Operations

IFR traffic is permitted at uncontrolled aerodromes if:

  • The aerodrome has published IFR approach procedures.

  • A Radio Mandatory Zone (RMZ) has been established in Class G airspace around the aerodrome.

Key Considerations:

  • IFR traffic must communicate in English.

  • Increased attention is required near IFR aerodromes due to mixed IFR/VFR operations.

  • Pilots must make an initial call on the published frequency before entering the RMZ.

  • If no AFIS is available, pilots must use UNICOM 122.800.

Example Initial Call

French English
Strasbourg Information, F-ABCD, C182, 7nm au sud du terrain, 1.700ft, transit de la RMZ vers le nord. Strasbourg Information, F-ABCD, C182, 7nm south of the airfield, 1.700ft, crossing RMZ northbound.

While inside the RMZ, the pilot must continuously monitor the published frequency. AFIS does not need to acknowledge routine calls.

ATIS for IFR Aerodromes

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

  • ATIS is generated automatically via the controller client.

  • Each FIR has a specific ATIS provider.

  • Contact your FIR mentors to set up ATIS at an uncontrolled IFR aerodrome.

Departing IFR Traffic

Below is a flight strip for DFPIA, a C208 Caravan from EDGS (Siegerland) to EDVE (Braunschweig), via TOBAK Z10 GISEM N850 WRB P12 NORTA.

Initial Clearance Request

Station Phraseology
Pilot "Siegerland Information, DFPIA, information Alpha, request enroute clearance."
AFIS "DFPIA, Siegerland Information, check information Bravo, stand by for clearance."

Relaying IFR Clearances

Important:

  • AFIS stations cannot issue IFR clearances.

  • AFIS must request clearance from the responsible ATC unit (Approach or Center).

  • ATC clearance is then relayed to the pilot.

Requesting IFR Clearance from ATC

Station Phraseology
AFIS "Langen Radar, Siegerland Information."
ATC "Go ahead."
AFIS "DFPIA at Siegerland requests IFR clearance to Braunschweig via TOBAK."
ATC "DFPIA is cleared to Braunschweig aerodrome, TOBAK1K departure, flight planned route, climb via SID 6000ft, squawk 2246, released."
AFIS (Relay to Pilot) "DFPIA, Langen Radar clears you to Braunschweig aerodrome, TOBAK1K departure, flight planned route, climb via SID 6000ft, squawk 2246, depart not earlier than 40, not later than 55."
ATC "Readback correct."

Relaying to Pilot

Station Phraseology
AFIS "DFPIA, Siegerland Information, clearance now available, advise ready to copy."
Pilot "DFPIA, ready to copy."
AFIS "DFPIA, Langen Radar clears you to Braunschweig aerodrome, TOBAK1K departure, flight planned route, climb via SID 6000ft, squawk 2246, depart not earlier than 40, not later than 55."
Pilot "Cleared Braunschweig aerodrome, TOBAK1K departure, flight planned route, climb via SID 6000ft, squawk 2246, depart not earlier than 40, not later than 55."
AFIS "Readback correct, startup approved, runway 31 via A."
Pilot "Startup approved, runway 31 via A."

Vectored Departure (if no SID assigned)

Station Phraseology
AFIS "DFPIA, Langen Radar clears you to Braunschweig, radar vectors TOBAK, flight planned route, fly runway heading, climb 5000ft, squawk 2246, depart not earlier than 40, not later than 55."

Approaching IFR Traffic

Inbound IFR traffic follows a similar procedure but requires less coordination.

ATC to AFIS Handoff

  • ATC informs AFIS when to expect IFR traffic on final approach.

  • Once stabilized on final approach, ATC transfers the aircraft to the AFIS frequency.

Example Arrival Call

Station Phraseology
Pilot "DFPIA, C208, established ILS runway 31, 6.000ft."
AFIS "DFPIA, wind 290 degrees, 4 knots, no further traffic / one VFR light on downwind."

Important Considerations for IFR Arrivals

  • IFR traffic does NOT have priority over VFR traffic.

  • Once inside the RMZ, IFR pilots must follow "see and avoid" rules, just like VFR pilots.

  • VFR aircraft may choose to give way to IFR traffic, but this is not mandatory.

  • AFIS cannot issue landing clearances.

    • IFR pilots must self-announce their intentions.

    • If needed, pilots may go around and contact ATC for a new approach.

Key Limitations of AFIS at IFR Aerodromes

Task Allowed?
Relay enroute clearances from ATC ✅ Yes
Provide traffic/weather information ✅ Yes
Approve startup & taxi ✅ Yes
Issue takeoff/landing clearances ❌ No
Issue direct routing to IFR aircraft ❌ No
Vector IFR traffic ❌ No

Summary

  • 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.

This guide ensures that AFIS controllers provide correct IFR coordination while respecting the limitations of uncontrolled airfields.

 

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