Uncontrolled airfield

Upon obtaining your student rating, you will advance to Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS) training and eventually qualify to provide AFIS within your assigned virtual Area Control Center (vACC). This manual serves as a reference throughout your training and operational duties.

While this guide remains general, specific procedures may vary between Flight Information Regions (FIRs) and should be adapted accordingly.

Role of the AFIS Officer

Unlike air traffic controllers, AFIS officers do not issue instructions or clearances to aircraft. Instead, they provide traffic information and operational details to assist pilots in maintaining situational awareness.

One key phrase, "Runway occupied," alerts ground traffic to remain clear of the runway until informed that it is available. Similarly, airborne aircraft notified of an occupied runway must ensure they do not interfere with another aircraft operating under a "No reported traffic runway XX" advisory. Pilots are responsible for maintaining separation from active approach, departure, and missed approach paths.

Objectives of This Guide

This guide outlines the responsibilities of an AFIS officer, including:

• Providing accurate traffic information to pilots.
• Relaying IFR clearances received from ATC units.
• Understanding AFIS limitations regarding clearances and instructions.
• Ensuring effective AFIS service delivery while operating within established regulatory boundaries.

Uncontrolled Airfields

An uncontrolled airfield is an aerodrome without Air Traffic Control (ATC), where flight operations are managed through AFIS or pilot self-announcements.

Surrounding Airspace

Uncontrolled airfields are usually located in Class G airspace, where both IFR and VFR flights operate. If IFR procedures exist, a Radio Mandatory Zone (RMZ) is established around the aerodrome.

Within an RMZ:

• Pilots must adhere to Class G airspace visibility and cloud clearance minima.
• Continuous radio monitoring and transmissions on the RMZ frequency are required.
• The designated aerodrome frequency is used for all communications.

Where IFR traffic is present, Class E airspace may extend down to 1,000 ft AGL.

Uncontrolled airfields without IFR procedures generally follow a naming convention that combines the nearest town name with "Radio" (e.g., Bouarfa Radio). Exceptions are listed in VFR charts and the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP).

Aerodrome Layout and Traffic Patterns

Larger uncontrolled aerodromes resemble controlled airfields and typically feature:

• Runways (paved or grass).
• Taxiways connecting runways to aprons.
• Designated parking areas for aircraft.

Grass airstrips may lack taxiways, requiring pilots to specify which side of the runway they will use for taxiing.

Traffic Circuit Operations

The traffic circuit helps maintain orderly arrivals and departures. It follows a rectangular flight pattern at 1,000 ft AGL, unless otherwise published.

A standard circuit consists of left-hand turns, although variations exist due to noise abatement, terrain, or operational requirements. These deviations are detailed in VFR Approach Charts (VACs).

If no official circuit is published, pilots establish their own routing based on safety considerations, minimum altitudes, and noise abatement procedures.

Traffic Circuit Phases

Runway Selection & Meteorological Conditions

Similar to controlled aerodromes, the active runway is chosen based on:

• Wind direction and speed.
• Local regulations and procedures.

The active runway is a guideline for pilots, who may select an alternative for operational or safety reasons. Most uncontrolled airfields lack certified barometric pressure (QNH) equipment. In such cases, pilots set QNH manually using the aerodrome elevation (MSL).

Limitations of AFIS Authority

A core principle of AFIS is that clearances and instructions are not issued to aircraft. However, in some cases, ground movement control (e.g., taxiing and parking) may be delegated to AFIS officers by the aerodrome operator.

Communications Procedures

Initial Contact & Establishing Communication

VFR aircraft arriving at or departing an uncontrolled aerodrome must initiate radio contact on the AFIS frequency.

Pilot: Bouarfa Radio, CN-AKM.
AFIS: CN-AKM, Bouarfa Radio.

Once contact is established, the pilot states their intentions.

Arriving Traffic

After the initial call, an inbound aircraft transmits the following details:

• Call sign
• Aircraft type
• Current position (distance and altitude)
• Intentions (e.g., landing, touch-and-go, etc.)

In addition, pilots may also report:

• Departure aerodrome
• Persons on board

Pilot: CN-AKM, C172, VFR from Oujda 8 miles north of field, 2,200 feet, for landing.
AFIS: CN-AKM, runway 27, glider activity south of the field.

Pilots should continue self-announcing their positions during circuit operations. Callsigns may be abbreviated only if first done by the ground station.

Departing Traffic

Departing pilots must request taxi instructions (if required) and receive traffic information.

Pilot: CN-AKM, C172, VFR to Nador, apron, request taxi information.
AFIS: CN-AKM, runway 27.

If ground movement control is provided by the aerodrome operator, AFIS officers may issue taxi instructions.

AFIS: CN-AKM, runway 27 via eastern grass area / taxiway S.

Before takeoff, wind conditions are typically provided.

AFIS: Wind 240 degrees, 9 knots.

Traffic Awareness & Special Operations

Traffic Information

Since AFIS does not include radar services, traffic information is provided based on visual observations and pilot reports.

Pilot: CN-AKM, holding point runway 27, ready for departure.
AFIS: CN-AKM, traffic information, Cessna 172 departing runway 27.
Pilot: CN-AKM, traffic in sight, lining up runway 27.

Night VFR (NVFR) & Special Procedures

Night VFR (NVFR) requires:

• A filed flight plan (if leaving the aerodrome vicinity).
• Use of "VFR Night" in all radio calls.
• Verification that the aerodrome is NVFR-approved.

Pilot: CN-AKM, C172, VFR Night to Melilla, at the apron, request taxi information.
AFIS: CN-AKM, runway 27.

If transitioning into Class E airspace, the pilot must contact ATC for further clearance.

Emergency Procedures

Emergencies at uncontrolled aerodromes are managed similarly to controlled airports:

• The aerodrome is closed to all traffic.
• Pilots are informed of the emergency.
• Once resolved, normal operations resume.