IFR procedures

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

1. The aerodrome has published IFR approach proceduresprocedures..

2. A Radio Mandatory Zone (RMZ) has beenis established in Class G airspace aroundsurrounding 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 Keyoccupied Considerations: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.

• IFR traffic must communicate in English.

• Increased attention is required nearfor all IFR aerodromescommunications.

due to mixed
• Mixed IFR/VFR operations.
  operations increase complexity at IFR-capable uncontrolled aerodromes.

• Pilots must makeestablish an initial callcommunication on the published frequency before entering the RMZ.

• If no AFIS service is available, pilots must use UNICOM 122.800800..

Example

Initial

Pilot: Call

Plage

French	English
Strasbourg Information, F-ABCD, C182, 7nm au sud du terrain, 1.700ft, transit de la RMZ vers le nord.	StrasbourgBlanche Information, F-ABCD, C182, 7nm south of the airfield, 1.700ft,1,700 feet, crossing RMZ northbound.

While inside the RMZ, the pilotpilots must continuously monitor the published frequency.frequency. AFIS doesofficers do not need to acknowledge routine callsposition reports.

ATIS for IFR Aerodromes

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

• ATIS ismessages are generated automatically via the controller client.

  client.

• Each FIR has a specific ATIS provider.

  for uncontrolled IFR aerodromes.

• Contact your FIR mentors to set up ATIS at anyour uncontrolledassigned IFR aerodrome.

  location.

Departing IFR Traffic

Below is a flight strip example for DFPIA,RAM1439, a C208AT72 Caravan fromdeparting EDGSBouarfa (Siegerland)GMFB) to EDVECasablanca (Braunschweig)GMMN), viafollowing the route TOBAKOLMAG Z10W255 GISEMFES N850R975 WRB P12 NORTASADIC.

Initial Clearance Request

Pilot:

AFIS:RAM1439, Bouarfa

Station	Phraseology
Pilot	"SiegerlandBouarfa Information, DFPIA,RAM1439, information Alpha, request enrouteIFR clearance."
AFIS	"DFPIA, Siegerland Information, check information Bravo, stand bystandby for clearance."

Relaying IFR Clearances

Important:

Important

Notes:
✅

• AFIS stations cannotCANNOT issue IFR clearances.

  clearances.
  ✅

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

  
  ✅

• ATC clearance is then relayed verbatim to the pilot.

Requesting IFR Clearance from ATC

AFIS:

ATC:
AFIS:RAM1439 OLMAG.
ATC:RAM1439
ATC:

Station	Phraseology
AFIS	"LangenCasablanca Radar, SiegerlandBouarfa Information."
ATC	"Go ahead."
AFIS	"DFPIA at SiegerlandBouarfa requests IFR clearance to BraunschweigCasablanca via TOBAK."
ATC	"DFPIA is cleared to BraunschweigCasablanca aerodrome, TOBAK1Kvisual departure, BRF W255 OLMAG flight planned route, climb via SID 6000ft,FL170, squawk 2246,3446, released."
AFIS (Relay to Pilot):	"DFPIA,RAM1439, LangenCasablanca Radar clears you to BraunschweigCasablanca aerodrome, TOBAK1Kvisual departure, flightBRG W255 OLMAG planned route, climb via SID 6000ft,FL170, squawk 2246,3446, depart not earlier than 40, not later than 55."
ATC	"Readback correct."

Relaying the Clearance to the Pilot

AFIS:

RAM1439,
Pilot:
AFIS:RAM1439,
Pilot:
AFIS: S.
Pilot: S.

Station	Phraseology
AFIS	"DFPIA, SiegerlandBouarfa Information, clearance now available, advise ready to copy."
Pilot	"DFPIA,RAM1439, ready to copy."
AFIS	"DFPIA, LangenCasablanca Radar clears you to BraunschweigCasablanca aerodrome, TOBAK1Kvisual departure, flightBRF W255 OLMAG planned route, climb via SID 6000ft,FL170, squawk 2246,3446, depart not earlier than 40, not later than 55."
Pilot	"Cleared Braunschweigto aerodrome,Casablanca, TOBAK1Kvisual departure, BRF W255 OLMAG flight planned route, climb via SID 6000ft,FL170, squawk 2246,3446, depart not earlier than 40, not later than 55."
AFIS	"Readback correct, startup approved, runway 3127 via A."
Pilot	"Startup approved, runway 3127 via A."

Vectored Departure (if no SID assigned)

AFIS:

RAM1439,

Station	Phraseology
AFIS	"DFPIA, LangenCasablanca Radar clears you to Braunschweig,Casablanca, radar vectors TOBAK,OLMAG, flight planned route, fly runway heading, climb 5000ft,5000 feet, squawk 2246,3446, depart not earlier than 40, not later than 55."

Approaching IFR Traffic

Inbound IFR trafficflights followsfollow a similar procedureprocess, butrequiring requirescoordination between lessATC coordinationand AFIS.

ATC to AFIS Handoff

• ATC informsnotifies AFIS of when to expectexpected IFR traffic on final approach.

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

  frequency.

Example

Arrival

Pilot: Call

RAM1439, 6,000feet.
AFIS:

Station	Phraseology
Pilot	"DFPIA, C208,AT72, established ILS runway 31,27, 6.000ft."
AFIS	"DFPIA,RAM1439, wind 290190 degrees, 4 knots, no further traffic / one VFR light on downwind."

ImportantKey Considerations for IFR Arrivals

• IFR traffic does NOT have priority over VFR traffic.

  flights.

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

• VFR pilots.
  flights
are
• not

  VFR aircraft may chooserequired to give way to IFR traffic,traffic but thismay ischoose not mandatory.

  to.

• AFIS cannot issue landing clearances.clearances

  • IFR —pilots must self-announce their intentions.

  • If needed,necessary, pilots may goinitiate a go-around and contact ATC forcoordinate a new approach.

    approach
  with
  ATC.

KeyAFIS Limitations of AFIS at IFR Aerodromes

Task	Allowed?
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

• Uncontrolled

  IFR aerodromes require higher coordination due to mixed IFR/VFR operations.

  operations.

• AFIS stations can relay ATC instructions but cannot control IFR traffic.

• Pilots must self-announce and maintain situational awareness.

  at all times.