Initial Clearance/Clearance To or Out of the Zone
VFR Operations: Entry, Exit & Transit
Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flights primarily navigate using visual references such as roads, rivers, and landmarks. Specific VFR charts provide essential guidance, including entry/exit routes, compulsory reporting points, and designated holding patterns for controlled airspace operations.
Key Considerations:
- VFR aircraft are not provided separation from other traffic by ATC but must be given traffic advisories.
- Pilots must self-separate and comply with ATC instructions for control zone entry and exit.
- Wake turbulence separation applies to VFR departures following larger aircraft.
- When necessary, ATC may delay VFR movements to integrate them efficiently with IFR operations.
VFR Entry & Exit Procedures
Designated entry and exit routes allow VFR traffic to safely enter and depart controlled airspace. These routes:
- Lead aircraft between the aerodrome and uncontrolled airspace.
- Require position reports at compulsory reporting points.
- May have restrictions depending on runway configurations or traffic patterns.
Entry Procedure:
- The pilot requests entry via a published route.
- ATC provides QNH, active runway, and entry clearance.
- The pilot reports passing each mandatory reporting point.
- If no further instructions are given, the pilot follows the designated holding pattern before entering the circuit.
Exit Procedure:
- The controller issues departure clearance via a designated route.
- The pilot follows the assigned route, reporting their position at the last compulsory point before exiting controlled airspace.
- ATC releases the pilot from frequency once outside controlled airspace.
Note: Any turns after takeoff, particularly right turns, require explicit ATC authorization to avoid conflicting with other traffic.
VFR Phraseology
| Scenario | English | French |
|---|---|---|
| Request Entry | Tower, XYZ123, Cessna 172, VFR from Tangier, 10 minutes south of Sierra, 1800 feet, requesting entry. | Tour XYZ123, Cessna 172, VFR de Tanger, 10 minutes au sud de Sierra, 1800 pieds, demande d’entrée. |
| Entry Clearance | XYZ123, enter control zone via Sierra, active runway 32, QNH 1025. | XYZ123, entrez en zone de contrôle via Sierra, piste active 32, QNH 1025. |
| Position Report | XYZ123, Sierra 1, 1800 feet. | XYZ123, Sierra 1, 1800 pieds. |
| Circuit Entry | XYZ123, join downwind runway 32. | XYZ123, rejoignez vent arrière piste 32. |
| Landing Clearance | XYZ123, wind 340 degrees, 11 knots, runway 32, cleared to land. | XYZ123, vent 340 degrés, 11 nœuds, piste 32, autorisé à atterrir. |
| Request Taxi for Departure | Tower, XYZ123, C172, Apron 2, two persons, information Hotel, VFR via Echo, request taxi. | Tour XYZ123, C172, Apron 2, deux personnes, information Hotel, VFR via Echo, demande roulage. |
| Taxi Clearance | XYZ123, taxi to holding point runway 14 via I and D, QNH 1019. | XYZ123, roulez au point d’arrêt piste 14 via I et D, QNH 1019. |
| Takeoff Clearance | XYZ123, leave control zone via Echo, wind 180 degrees, 2 knots, runway 14, cleared for takeoff. | XYZ123, quittez zone de contrôle via Echo, vent 180 degrés, 2 nœuds, piste 14, autorisé au décollage. |
| Exit Report | XYZ123, Echo 1, 2000 feet. | XYZ123, Echo 1, 2000 pieds. |
| Frequency Change Approval | XYZ123, frequency change approved, have a good flight. | XYZ123, changement de fréquence approuvé, bon vol. |
VFR Transit Through Controlled Airspace
VFR pilots may request clearance to transit a control zone without landing. Handling of these flights follows a similar process as entries, with additional emphasis on separation from other aircraft.
- The pilot requests transit clearance, specifying routing and altitude.
- ATC provides a transit route and altitude restriction.
- The pilot follows the assigned route and exits controlled airspace as directed.
- ATC releases the aircraft from frequency upon exit.
VFR Aerodrome Circuit Operations
VFR pilots often conduct repeated training circuits within a control zone. These circuits include:
Touch-and-Go
- The aircraft lands briefly and immediately takes off again.
- Treated as a landing until touchdown, then as a departure.
Low Approach
- The aircraft flies over the runway at a low altitude without touching down.
- Considered an approach until threshold, then a departure.
Note: ATC must provide routing instructions before issuing clearance for touch-and-go or low approaches.
VFR Traffic Information in Controlled Airspace
In Class D airspace, VFR flights are not separated by ATC but must receive traffic advisories:
- VFR-VFR Traffic Information
- Example: “XYZ123, traffic 2 o’clock, 3 miles, Cessna 172, 2000 feet, in circuit.”
- VFR-IFR Traffic Information
- Example: “XYZ123, traffic on final, Boeing 737, 4 NM, expect wake turbulence.”
Situations Where Traffic Information is Mandatory:
- IFR aircraft on final approach (within 4NM of runway).
- VFR departures and arrivals on the same route.
- VFR aircraft following another VFR aircraft at a higher speed.
- IFR departures near VFR circuit traffic.
If ATC cannot ensure traffic advisories, they may deny VFR entry or instruct aircraft to land or exit controlled airspace.