Simple arrival

This page describes how arrival plane should be handled.

Switch from Center ATC

The Center ATC informs you about a plane to switch with a message with the message like

1047 (EZY 2042) to you [LKAA_CTR]

This means that the Center ATC has a plane for you to hang over. You must confirm this information, otherwise (after an amount of time the departure will divert). The confirmation is done using a command

-1047

The "+" (plus) symbol means that you are sending a signal to upper ATC, followed by an airplane code.

Then you wait until the airplane contacts you. It will say something like:

Hello, EZY2042 with you at FL 170.

You have to confirm the radar contact to the airplane, otherwise, it will refuse to follow your commands. To confirm, simply say

EZY2042 RC

You can also use shortened callsign "2042".

Arriving at destination

The airplane will flow automatically its standard arrival route or will proceed by a heading or proceed to some point. You should descend an airplane to the desired altitude using DM (descend & maintain) command:

2042 DM 80

If necessary, you can also adjust airplane heading with command FH (fly heading), or TL/TR (turn left/right):

2042 TL 270

Entering approach

Using altitude and heading commands you should get the airplane to the position suitable to the approach. Typically to the distance about 10-15 nm from the runway threshold near the runway axis with lower than 30° angle to this axis. When the runway supports ILS approach, you can enter the approach using command (expecting runway 24):

2042 C I 24

For visual approach, you can say

2042 C R 24

The airplane will confirm the command (of rejects if the position is not suitable) and automatically adjusts speed, heading and altitude if necessary.

Hanging airplane to the Tower ATC

The airplane can be hanged out to the Tower ATC if it is close enough to land, however not necessary in approach. Be careful as the switch to the tower and back to the airplane which is not cleared to approach takes a time and may lead to new approach positioning. First, you need to ask the Tower ATC to accept the plane, using a signal for the Tower ATC:

-1047

The prefix "-" (minus) means that the message is for the the Tower ATC. The Tower ATC will comply or refuse. If the hang off is approved, you can order the airplane to contact The Tower ATC using CT (contact tower) command:

2042 CT

Don't forget to switch landing airplane to the tower, otherwise, it will not get landing clearance and you will have to navigate it to the new approach.

The airplane confirms and continues to fly and land under the the Tower ATC. If plane goes around, it will be switched back to you from the Tower ATC (to see how this is handled see departure tutorial, where switch from the Tower ATC to the Approach ATC is specified).