active 2020-12-03 - Warton (EGNO) & Blackpool (EGNH) - Provision of ATS

[VATSIM UK Operations]

Effective 03 December 2020

 

Warton (EGNO)

Warton is a controlled aerodrome with a MATZ (Military Aerodrome Traffic Zone) located in class G airspace. Despite being civilian owned and registered, Warton utilises military procedures. For the purposes of ATC on VATSIM, Warton is considered as a military aerodrome and requires the appropriate military endorsements to control.

The following Warton (EGNO) positions may be staffed:

Logon Callsign	RTF Callsign	Frequency (MHz)	Log on conditions
EGNO_APP	Warton Radar	129.525	Requires military approach endorsement
EGNO_P_APP	Warton Talkdown	129.725	Requires military talkdown endorsement.  EGNO_APP and EGNO_TWR must be online.
EGNO_TWR	Warton Tower	130.800	Requires military tower endorsement

Note: EGNO_R_APP is no longer used.

Top-down coverage of Warton

When Warton ATC is offline, Swanwick Mil (West) - EGVV_W_CTR shall provide top-down coverage.

When Warton ATC and Swanwick Mil are offline, PC West (MAN_W_CTR) may provide limited top-down coverage to Warton traffic, in order to prevent conflicts with Blackpool traffic.

Specifically:

• PC West shall control Warton inbound traffic as far as they would normally be transferred to Warton ATC.
• PC West may control Warton inbound traffic until established on final approach to prevent conflict with Blackpool traffic. Although PC West cannot provide a top-down service, it is advisable to retain the aircraft on frequency in case of a missed approach. Suggested phraseology for this is: “FASTJET123, surface wind XXX/XX, runway XX report landing or going around.”
• PC West may advise Warton outbound traffic on the correct departure routes to use but shall not provide any aerodrome control services.
• PC West may control Warton outbound traffic so far as to prevent conflict with Blackpool traffic if, from the observed departure track, a conflict appears likely.

Warton top-down coverage order:

NO APP – VVW – VV – (PCW – PC – LN – L)

Note 1: refer to London FIR (EGTT) vMATS Pt. 2 for controller identifier decode.

Note 2: positions in parentheses shall provide limited top-down coverage as detailed above.

 

Blackpool (EGNH)

Blackpool is a controlled civilian aerodrome with an ATZ located in Class G airspace. Blackpool Approach (EGNH_APP) is not equipped with surveillance equipment and as such is limited to providing a Basic or Procedural service.

Top-down coverage of Blackpool 

When Blackpool ATC is offline, Warton Radar (EGNO_APP) shall provide top-down coverage.

When Blackpool and Warton ATC (including Swanwick Mil) are offline, PC West (MAN_W_CTR) shall provide top-down coverage.

Blackpool top-down coverage order:

NH APP – NO APP – VVW – VV – PCW – PC – LN – L

Note 1: refer to London FIR (EGTT) vMATS Pt. 2 for controller identifier decode.

Background

Warton is owned and operated by BAE Systems under a CAA issued Ordinary License. Despite this, Warton has a MATZ (Military Aerodrome Traffic Zone) and is operated using military procedures. The main user of the aerodrome is BAE Systems conducting test and delivery flights of Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft constructed on site. In real life, Warton Radar provides UK FIS and vectoring for some EGNH inbounds.

Edited December 3, 2020 by Jack Edwards