# 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
**English****French**
DepartureDépart
CrosswindVent traversier
DownwindVent arrière
BaseVent de base
FinalFinale
##### 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.**