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Night VFR

VFR Aircraft Entry into Controlled Airspace (CTR)

Coordination for VFR Entry

When a VFR aircraft is approaching controlled airspace (CTR), the responsible Air Traffic Services (ATS) unit should coordinate the entry in advance.

  • In high-traffic conditions, the receiving controller may request modifications to the aircraft’s altitude, routing, or even deny entry if necessary for sequencing and separation.
  • For VFR aircraft arriving from uncontrolled airspace, controllers should send a contact request (e.g., .contactme) 2 to 5 minutes before the aircraft reaches the CTR boundary.

Establishing Contact with VFR Arrivals

Upon initial contact with an inbound VFR aircraft, the controller should:

  1. Confirm the pilot’s intentions (e.g., full-stop landing, touch-and-go, low approach, etc.).
  2. Issue a VFR arrival clearance, including relevant routing instructions.
  3. Assign a squawk code, if not already assigned, for radar identification.

VFR Arrival Clearances

For arrivals using published VFR routes:

A VFR route clearance should include:

  • Route name (if applicable)
  • Assigned arrival runway
  • Local QNH
  • Squawk code (if needed)
  • Reporting instructions (e.g., report at the final visual reporting point before joining the circuit)

Example Phraseology:

[CALLSIGN], follow [VFR ROUTE] for runway [XX], QNH [XXXX], [SQUAWK if necessary], report passing [REPORTING POINT].

Example:

Cessna 45X, follow Route 5 for Runway 27, QNH 1013, report passing the Lake.

For arrivals not using a VFR route:

If an aircraft is not following a designated VFR route, the controller should provide an arrival clearance with appropriate routing instructions, including:

  • Heading or visual reporting point
  • Altitude restriction (if required)
  • Local QNH
  • Squawk code (if needed)

Example Phraseology:

[CALLSIGN], [ROUTING], [ALT], QNH [XXXX], [SQUAWK if necessary].

Example:

Piper 32B, join left downwind Runway 18, maintain 1500 feet, QNH 1008.

Sequencing and Landing Procedures

Before an aircraft is cleared to land, the pilot must establish communication with the appropriate controller. Depending on traffic conditions:

  • The aircraft may be instructed to hold outside the airspace or orbit to manage congestion.
  • Once inside the CTR, the aircraft will be integrated into the traffic circuit for landing.
  • The controller will assign a sequence number, indicating the aircraft’s position in the landing order.

Example of Landing Sequence Assignment:

[CALLSIGN], number [X], follow [AIRCRAFT TYPE] on [LEG], report traffic in sight.

Example:

Cessna 82Y, number 3, follow the Airbus A320 on final, report traffic in sight.

The sequence number helps pilots understand where they fit in the landing order and ensures safe spacing between arrivals.

By following these procedures, VFR arrivals can be smoothly integrated into controlled airspace, ensuring safe and efficient traffic flow while maintaining separation from IFR operations.

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