Luton vMATS Part 2 Version 2.

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23rd March 2014

VATSIM UK Heathrow RTS

Heathrow Pilot Operations Guide - Version 2.0
04 February 2016
Heathrow Pilot Operations Guide Version 2.0
04 February 2016

Distribution and Scope

This manual outlines the recommended operational procedures for pilots operating in to or out of London
Heathrow Airport.

Exclusion of Liability

This manual is for use on the VATSIM Network only and should never be adopted for real world use.

The information published by VATSIM UK within this document is made available without warranty of any
kind; the Organization accepts no responsibility or liability whether direct or indirect, as to the currency,
accuracy or quality of the information, nor for any consequence of its use.

Amendment History

Version Date Affected Pages Changes

2.0 04 February 2016 All Revised edition
1.0 05 October 2011 All First publication

Acknowledgements

For this version, VATSIM UK acknowledges the following for their contributions:
Harry Sugden (Author)
Arvid Hansson (Content Advisor)
Phillip Speer (Proof Reader)
Lawrence Abel (Proof Reader)
Sebastian Rekdal (Proof Reader)

Thanks also to the other numerous people who reviewed this document and prepared it for release.

For the most up to date information, pilots should visit the Airfield Information page on the website, accessible
via vats.im/lhrbrief

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Contents
Section 1 | General Information ...................................................................................................................... 4
1.1 Description...................................................................................................................................... 4
1.2 Scenery ........................................................................................................................................... 4
1.3 Charts ............................................................................................................................................. 4
1.3.1 Historical Scenery ....................................................................................................................... 4
1.4 Coverage ......................................................................................................................................... 5
1.4.1 London Top-Down Order ............................................................................................................ 5
1.5 Runways ......................................................................................................................................... 5
1.5.1 Westerlies ................................................................................................................................... 5
1.5.2 Easterlies .................................................................................................................................... 5
1.5.3 Night Time .................................................................................................................................. 6
1.5.4 Flightradar24 & Heathrow Twitter .............................................................................................. 6
Section 2 | Departures ..................................................................................................................................... 7
2.1 Requesting Clearance ...................................................................................................................... 7
2.2 Routings .......................................................................................................................................... 7
2.2.1 Standard Instrument Departures (SIDs) ...................................................................................... 7
2.2.2 Common Routings....................................................................................................................... 7
2.2.3 Common Routing Mistakes ......................................................................................................... 7
2.2.4 Route Sources ............................................................................................................................. 7
2.3 Handoffs ......................................................................................................................................... 7
2.4 Initial Climb ..................................................................................................................................... 8
2.5 Speed Restriction ............................................................................................................................ 8
2.6 Climb now.................................................................................................................................... 8
2.7 VFR ................................................................................................................................................. 8
Section 3 | Arrivals .......................................................................................................................................... 9
3.1 STARs .............................................................................................................................................. 9
3.2 Holding ........................................................................................................................................... 9
3.3 Transfer to APP ............................................................................................................................. 10
3.3.1 Initial ........................................................................................................................................ 10
3.3.2 Transfer to Final Director .......................................................................................................... 10
3.4 Transfer to TWR ............................................................................................................................ 10
3.5 Vacating the Runway .................................................................................................................... 10
3.6 Taxi to Stand ................................................................................................................................. 10

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Thank you for choosing to fly from London Heathrow Airport. We wish you a safe and pleasant flight!

Remember that if you have any questions during your flight, it is always best to ask the controller. We would
also be happy to answer your questions on the VATSIM UK forums or via the helpdesk.

Section 1 | General Information

1.1 Description
London Heathrow Airport (IATA: LHR, ICAO: EGLL), situated 12 miles west of Central London, is the busiest
airport in the United Kingdom, the busiest airport in Europe and the fifth busiest airport in the world in terms
of passenger traffic.

This hub of activity is reflected on the network by the huge number of movements each year. In 2014, the
virtual Heathrow had over 41,000 movements, the largest number on the network. Again Heathrow has come
out on top in terms of movements in 2015 with over 48,000 flights in and out of the busiest (in terms of
movements) airport on the VATSIM network.

1.2 Scenery
Payware scenery for the airport has been produced by both UK2000 and Aerosoft which work in FS9, FSX and
P3D.

Aerosoft Mega Airport London Heathrow Xtended

http://en.shop.aerosoft.com/eshop.php?action=article_detail&s_supplier_aid=11982&s_design=default&shop
filter_category=flight%20simulation&s_language=english

UK2000 Heathrow Xtreme v3

http://www.uk2000scenery.com/newsite/My_Homepage_Files/Page17.html

There is also a FREE version of the UK2000 scenery at the same location. We urge pilots to update to this at a
minimum to make it easier for controllers to issue, and for you to understand, taxi instructions.

Payware scenery for users of X-Plane 10 is available at:

Airport London-Heathrow

http://en.shop.aerosoft.com/eshop.php?action=article_detail&s_supplier_aid=13401&s_design=DEFAULT&sh
opfilter_category=Flight%20Simulation&s_language=english

1.3 Charts
Charts are available from several providers, but most notably from the NATS Aeronautical Information Service
(AIS) which is accessible HERE. Heathrow charts are available at THIS location, though some specifics may not
be present even in the most recent version of Heathrow sceneries for this reason, we have saved a copy of
an aerodrome chart from the time of release of the UK2000 v3, which should also reflect the Aerosoft scenery,
HERE.

1.3.1 Historical Scenery

We have stored several charts related to older version of scenery.

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1.3.1.1 UK2000 Version 2

For the previous version of UK2000 (v2), THIS aerodrome chart and THIS Terminal 1 chart should aid spatial
awareness. Please let the controller know where possible that you are using this version of the scenery.

1.3.1.2 Aerosoft Mega Airport Heathrow (Previous Version)

If you are using the old version of the Aerosoft Heathrow scenery (so you dont have the new Terminal 2
layout), we suggest you use THIS image when operating on the eastern side of the airfield. Other locations on
the airfield should be largely similar to the current layout.

1.3.1.3 Default Scenery

If you are still using default scenery, then please update! Use the links to the free versions of the scenery
above.

1.4 Coverage
Any Heathrow position covers the responsibilities for positions below it in their absence. For example, with
EGLL_2_GND and EGLL_N_APP online, EGLL_N_APP would also act as TWR. With just EGLL_N_APP online, they
cover the airfield top-down and thus you must contact them before moving.

1.4.1 London Top-Down Order

If there are no controllers prefixed with EGLL that are covering the airfield, then one of the following London
Control positions may be covering the aerodrome. The first controller online from left to right will cover any
absent Heathrow positions top down.

LTC_SE_CTR LTC_S_CTR LON_D_CTR LON_S_CTR LON_SC_CTR LON_CTR

(120.525) (134.125) (134.900) (129.425) (132.600) (123.900)

No other LON or LTC position covers London Heathrow top-down. This includes positions such as LON_C_CTR
and LON_N_CTR they do not cover the airfield top down, so you do not need to call them on the ground.

1.5 Runways
Heathrow operates a runway alternation system on westerly operations to provide respite for real world
residents underneath the flight path. We assume this same system on VATSIM when on westerly operations.
More information about this system can be found HERE.

When ATC is online, they will always have the overriding authority as to which runways are in use. In the
absence of ATC, Heathrow does operate a westerly preference (in a basic way with a tail wind of 5 knots or
less). With no ATC online there is no active runway and this information is provided for advice. Each pilot
would be expected to announce intentions on Unicom and to fit into/around any traffic movements already
on the network.

1.5.1 Westerlies
During the day time, one runway will be used for landings before 1500 local, and the other for departures. At
1500 local, the roles for each runway switch from landing to departing and vice versa.

The programme for alternation in 2016 is available HERE. The runway shown is the landing runway for that
period during the specified week.

1.5.2 Easterlies
During the day time, runway 09L is used for landing traffic, and runway 09R is used for departing traffic.

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1.5.3 Night Time

From around 2330 zulu (the last departure) until 0600 zulu, the airport uses an alternative preferential runway
system. The single runway to be used varies from week to week, though an alternative, secondary runway is
listed when the primary runway cannot be used to weather reasons. Again, use the second page of THIS
document for reference.

1.5.4 Flightradar24 & Heathrow Twitter

Other sources of the current runways are:

Flightradar24
Heathrow Twitter

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Section 2 | Departures
2.1 Requesting Clearance
On first contact with the controller issuing your clearance, you should report the following information.

1. Your stand number;

2. Your aircraft type;
3. The ATIS information letter you are in receipt of;
4. The current Heathrow QNH (stating the correct ATIS letter does not cancel this requirement).

Example: Heathrow Delivery, Big Jet 347 stand 221 Left, Airbus 3-2-0, Information Golf QNH 1022, request
clearance to Seaton

You must read back the clearance in full. Listen carefully to all details, and if you are unsure about your
clearance, you must tell the controller. If you cannot accept a departure the controller has given, you must
tell the controller.

2.2 Routings

2.2.1 Standard Instrument Departures (SIDs)

The MAY SID is not used from London Heathrow. All other SIDs may be used if appropriate for the direction of
travel.

2.2.2 Common Routings

Manchester (EGCC)
Westerlies WOBUN DCT WELIN T420 TNT (Max FL180)
Easterlies BUZAD T420 TNT (Max FL180)

Amsterdam
BPK Q295 CLN L620 REDFA (Max FL230)

Paris Charles de Gaulle (LFPG)

MID (U)L18 SFD UM605 BIBAX (Odd levels, typically FL230 or FL250)

London Gatwick (EGKK)

MID DCT HOLLY DCT WILLO

2.2.3 Common Routing Mistakes

WOBUN M605 DTY this is incorrect. Its likely youll route via CLN later on in your route if youve made this
mistake, so just file BPK Q295 CLN instead.

GOGSI KONAN if you are exiting the EGTT FIR via KONAN, you should be using a DET SID.

2.2.4 Route Sources

Standard Route Document (SRD) HERE

Edi-gla (Real World Flightplan Database) - HERE

2.3 Handoffs
contact Heathrow Tower report your callsign and your clearance limit (holding point).

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contact Heathrow Tower, callsign only report your callsign only to the controller and nothing else!

monitor Heathrow Tower switch your radio to the specified frequency, but do not initiate contact with the
controller. They will contact you when appropriate, at which point you can respond as normal.

2.4 Initial Climb

The initial climb for ALL SIDs from London Heathrow is altitude 6000 feet. Do not climb above altitude 6000
feet until cleared by ATC.

2.5 Speed Restriction

A speed restriction of 250 knots IAS below FL100 applies to all aircraft following a SID, unless this speed
restriction is cancelled by ATC (no ATC speed restriction / no speed control)

2.6 Climb now

ATC will use the phrase climb now to indicate that you should climb above the SID profile to the flight level
specified without delay. For example, the DET SID is restricted to altitude 6000 feet until DET, but being told to
climb now FL170 would cancel this restriction, and you should immediately climb to FL170.

If ATC vectors you off the SID then published SID restrictions are cancelled and you should climb as directed,
even if Climb now is not used.

2.7 VFR
Fixed wing VFR traffic is not permitted to enter the inner area, as depicted in the image below. Rotary wing
aircraft may enter the inner area on VATSIM when cleared to do so.

Full procedures for rotary aircraft operations including transiting the airfield are available in the Textual Data
Section 2.20 Local Traffic Regulations, sub-section 5 'Helicopter Operations'.

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Section 3 | Arrivals
3.1 STARs
Inbound flights should plan to use a BIG, BNN, LAM or OCK STAR. All other STAR designators are not used on
VATSIM.

The only STARs that begin at BIG, BNN, LAM or OCK are ATC only issued STARs and you should not plan to use
them. If your flight plan ends in any of these VORs, it is incorrect.

For full details of available STARs, visit the Heathrow page on the VATSIM UK website, HERE. Charts for all
STARs are again available on the AIS Heathrow page HERE.

The most commonly used STARs are listed below (this is not complete list):

Identifier Initial Waypoint Notes

BIG4B ALESO From the South-East (LFFF FIR)
BNN1B NUGRA From the North
BNN4A HON High level flights should typically use the BNN1B
LAM3A LOGAN From the East (do not plan to use the BIG1E)
OCK1A KENET From the West
OCK2F BEDEK From the West
OCK3E BILNI From the South-West
OCK3J BEWLI From the South-West (not available 0600-2200 local)
OCK4B DOMUT From the South-West

3.2 Holding
Airfield Holds

If you are instructed to hold, or if you are not given a heading to leave the VOR by, you must hold. How about
you always set up the hold with ATC online, and only remove it when given a heading to leave the VOR?

All STAR charts include a message instructing pilots to not proceed beyond the holding fix without ATC
clearance. Example: Do not proceed beyond BIGGIN without ATC clearance

VOR Inbound Direction of Leg Time Speeds

Course Turns
BIG (Biggin) 303 Right 1 minute Up to and including FL140 -
BNN (Bovingdon) 118 Right 1 minute 220 knots IAS

LAM (Lambourne) 264 Left 1 minute FL150 and above -

OCK (Ockham) 330 Right 1 minute 240 knots IAS

It is important you maintain a reasonable descent rate when instructed to descend in the hold to allow ATC to
make best use of all available flight levels. If you are not able to maintain a descent rate of -600fpm at an
absolute minimum, you must inform ATC.

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Enroute Holds

In extremely busy traffic situations, London Control may instruct you to hold at other locations on or off the
STAR. If you are unable to conform to their request, you must inform the controller at the earliest opportunity.

3.3 Transfer to APP

3.3.1 Initial
On initial contact with Heathrow Director (EGLL_N_APP or EGLL_S_APP), report your cleared level, routing (i.e.
which VOR), aircraft type, and received ATIS information.

Example: "Heathrow Director, ABC123, descending flight level 80 to Bovingdon, Airbus 3-2-0 with
information Golf"

3.3.2 Transfer to Final Director

contact Heathrow Director, callsign only, 120.4
report your callsign only to Heathrow Director 120.4

The above example transmissions both have the same meaning:

Switch to the frequency 120.4

When a suitable gap in transmissions occurs, state just your callsign e.g. ABC123

Simple as that!

3.4 Transfer to TWR

Pilots are to report their callsign, distance from touchdown, type of approach and runway to which they are
making their approach, on transfer to Heathrow Tower.

Example: ABC123, 7 miles, ILS, Runway 27L

3.5 Vacating the Runway

You must vacate the runway as soon as possible in order for TWR to make best use of the runway.

You have not vacated the runway until you have fully passed the runway stop bar (not just the cockpit), so DO
NOT STOP UNTIL YOU ARE FULLY ON A TAXIWAY.

In most cases, TWR should give an initial taxi instruction to keep you moving. If TWR does not give you this
instruction, or if you cannot speak to ground because of frequency congestion, you should completely vacate
the landing runway and taxi into the first taxiway available. You should then hold position until contact with
GND can be established.

In summary VACATE THE RUNWAY, PASS THE HOLDING POINT, AND ONLY THEN MAY YOU STOP.

3.6 Taxi to Stand

Your taxi routing may not always be as simple as you think it will be. Ensure you have a ground chart available
to you at any time to ensure you understand your routing. If you dont understand it, hold position, and ask
the ground controller.

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