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Transits & Other Flights

A VFR transit occurs when an aircraft enters a control zone (CTR) and crosses it without intending to land at any airport within the zone.

VFR transits are typically conducted along designated VFR routes, exit/entry points, or directly on course, subject to ATC approval and traffic conditions.

Handling a Single VFR Transit Aircraft

When a single VFR aircraft transits a CTR:

  • The aircraft usually enters via or near a published VFR entry point.
  • The pilot should establish contact with ATC at least 2 minutes before reaching the entry point.
  • The controller issues transit instructions, ensuring traffic separation.
Example Phraseology

🛩️ Pilot: Tower, Cessna 172, 3000ft, 2 minutes to W, request transit to S, FGJNG.
📡 ATC: FGJNG, transit W, WA, overhead the field, and S, altitude 2000 feet, report WA.
🛩️ Pilot: Transiting W, WA, overhead the field, and S, altitude 2000 feet, will report WA, FGJNG.

Transit Outside VFR Reporting Points

In some cases, pilots may request transit outside of designated VFR entry/exit points to shorten their route. The controller may approve or deny this request based on factors such as:

  • Weather conditions (Special VFR requirements)
  • Night operations
  • Existing traffic in the control zone
  • Activity in the aerodrome circuit
Example Phraseology

📡 ATC: FGJEL, transit WA, exit south-west of CTR, altitude 2000 feet, report leaving the control zone.

📡 ATC: FGJNG, transit direct S, altitude 2000 feet, report leaving the control zone.

Handling Multiple VFR Transits

When multiple VFR aircraft are transiting at the same time, potential conflicts may arise. The controller must:

  • Provide traffic information to both aircraft.
  • Ensure pilots maintain visual separation.
Example Phraseology

📡 ATC: FGJNG, traffic, Cessna 172, same altitude at your 9 o’clock, 4 miles, will cross your route left to right around WA, report in sight.
🛩️ Pilot: Traffic in sight, FGJNG.

📡 ATC: FGJEL, traffic, Cessna 172, same altitude at your 3 o’clock, 4 miles, will cross your route right to left around WA, report in sight.
🛩️ Pilot: Traffic in sight, FGJEL.

After acknowledging traffic, pilots are responsible for adjusting their heading and altitude as needed while maintaining visual separation.

VFR Transit and Aerodrome Circuit Operations

When a VFR transit aircraft crosses near an active aerodrome circuit, ATC should:

  • Assign a higher altitude (typically 500-1000 feet above the circuit) to ensure separation.
  • Provide traffic information to both transit and circuit aircraft.
Example Phraseology

🛩️ Pilot: Tower, Cessna 172, 1000ft, 2 minutes to S, request transit to N, FGJEL.
📡 ATC: FGJEL, transit S, overhead the field, and N, altitude 1500 feet, report N.
🛩️ Pilot: Transiting S, overhead the field, and N, altitude 1500 feet, will report N, FGJEL.

📡 ATC: FGJNG, traffic, Cessna 172 at your 12 o’clock, from S to overhead the field, 500 feet above.
🛩️ Pilot: Traffic in sight, FGJNG.

📡 ATC: FGJEL, traffic, Cessna 172 at your 12 o’clock, right-hand downwind runway 36, 500 feet below.
🛩️ Pilot: Traffic in sight, FGJEL.

Transit aircraft should avoid directly overflying the runway at low altitude, maintaining an offset to free the runway axis for arriving and departing traffic.

VFR Transit and IFR on Final Approach

When a VFR transit aircraft crosses near an IFR arrival on final approach, ATC should:

  • Assign a transit altitude higher than the circuit altitude.
  • Avoid runway axis crossings at low altitude.
  • Provide traffic information to both aircraft.

VFR Contact

🛩️ Pilot: Tower, Cessna 172, 1000ft, at W, request transit to S, FGJEL.
📡 ATC: FGJEL, transit WA, overhead the field, then right-hand downwind runway 36 and S, altitude 2000 feet, report S.
🛩️ Pilot: Transiting WA, overhead the field, then right-hand downwind and S, altitude 2000 feet, will report S.

IFR Arrival Contact

✈️ Pilot: Tower, on final runway 36, TUI411.
📡 ATC: TUI411, runway 36 cleared to land, winds 340° 6KT, traffic left to right at 2000ft, will cross overhead the field.
✈️ Pilot: Runway 36 cleared to land, traffic in sight, TUI411.

Traffic Information to VFR Aircraft

📡 ATC: FGJEL, traffic information Boeing 757 on final runway 36, report traffic in sight.
🛩️ Pilot: Traffic in sight, FGJEL.

The VFR aircraft is responsible for maintaining safe separation from the IFR traffic, except in Class C airspace, where ATC must ensure separation.

If a runway axis crossing is necessary, ATC should consider possible IFR go-arounds. The transit should either be expedited or delayed until the IFR traffic has landed.

Summary of VFR Transit Best Practices

Scenario ATC Best Practice
Single VFR Transit Assign a defined VFR route or direct clearance with altitude.
Multiple VFR Transits Issue traffic information and ensure pilots maintain visual separation.
Transit near Aerodrome Circuit Maintain 500-1000 feet separation from circuit aircraft.
Transit near IFR Final Approach Assign higher altitudes, provide traffic information, and avoid low-altitude runway crossings.
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