active 2025-07-13 to 07-21 - RAF Fairford (EGVA) - Royal International Air Tattoo

[VATSIM UK Operations]

Valid 2025-07-13 – 2025-07-21

General

During the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at RAF Fairford (EGVA), temporary restricted airspace will be in operation. Please note, the times and dates of the restricted airspace on the AIC do not reflect the times and dates we are following on VATSIM. 

For the duration of the real-world event, Restricted Airspace (Temporary) is established (see diagram in AIC link above). This airspace is considered active on VATSIM when a controller is providing a service as per the instructions below. An air traffic control position will be available for suitably qualified controllers (S3 or above and Military Approach endorsed) to operate on frequency 134.555 MHz (EGVA_APP – “Fairford Radar”) providing approach and departure services for RAF Fairford. Fairford Radar assumes overall control of the RA(T) in the absence of Brize Approach (EGVN_APP). Fairford Radar will also provide top-down services for Fairford in the absence of Fairford Tower (EGVA_TWR).

ATC Procedures

Fairford Radar is allocated squawk range 6001-6037. 6007 is used as a VFR conspicuity code.

Three VRPs are used for Fairford VFR inbounds during the effective period only:

• Northleach (N)
• Highworth (SE)
• Blakehill Farm (SW)

VFR departures and arrivals routing via these points require a pre-note to the receiving controller.

Three Standard IFR Departure Procedures are to be used to reduce coordination. These consist of a climb straight ahead to 2400 ft before commencing turns:

• “Fairford North” (all rwys) - H320 climbing FL50
• “Fairford West” (27 only) H270 climbing FL50
• “Fairford East” (09 only) H090 climbing FL50

The naming conventions are for coordination purposes only. Pilots shall be passed these clearances as if they were non-standard departure instructions. For example: “After departure climb on runway track. On passing 2400 ft, turn left heading 320 degrees. Climb FL50. Squawk 1234. Departure frequency Fairford Radar on 134.555”.

All IFR departures are subject to release from Fairford Radar, who will provide a departure frequency in the release.

Arrivals

• Traffic or Deconfliction Service for IFR aircraft
• Basic or Traffic Service for VFR aircraft
• IFR codes 6001-6037 (excl. 6007, 6010, 6017)
• VFR conspicuity squawk 6007
• Airways traffic may retain assigned code
• All traffic to be given clearance into RA(T) over RT by Brize or Fairford Radar controllers - “[Callsign], cleared to enter the RAT…”
• IFR inbound lowest level FL60 - individually coordinated
• Inbounds via Q63 route ASHUM/CONKO - NAXAT - BZN descending FL110 as per standing agreement
• Others route DCT BZN after final fix
• Holding to take place overhead BZN FL60 and above - coordinate with London AC West, Daventry and Swanwick Mil (not required)
• Brize Approach remains responsible for BZN hold
• No aircraft shall be cleared DCT FFD
• Inbounds shall be transferred directly to Fairford Radar unless holding
• ILS - Vector to 10 NM intercept
• RTV - Vector to 5 NM initials
• VFR - Clear via Northleach (N), Highworth (SE) or Blakehill Farm (SW)
• VFR may also route DCT if unfamiliar

Pre-note Fairford TWR after initial contact

• Callsign
• Aircraft type
• Type of approach

Range checks with Fairford TWR

• ILS - 10 NM range check
• RTV - 10 NM range check
• VFR - Not required but transfer by 5 NM (MATZ Boundary) or assigned VRP

IFR Departures

• Clear via Radar Vectors to First Waypoint (preferred) or MAXOB SID
• Straight ahead until passing 2400 ft, then:
• “Fairford North” (all rwys) H320
• “Fairford West” (27 only) H270
• “Fairford East” (09 only) H090
• Initial climb FL50
• UKCP squawk if GAT (Airways)
• Fairford Radar local squawk if OAT (non-Airways)
• Codes from range 6001-6037 (excl. 6007, 6010 and 6017)
• Release from Fairford Radar during taxi giving C/S and Departure Procedure (eg. “Release: BLACK 01, Fairford North”)
• Departure frequency given by Fairford Radar with release (eg. “BLACK 01 released on a Fairford North, departure frequency 134.555”)
• Fairford Radar controller will coordinate with Area Control units:
• GAT coordinate with AC West or AC Daventry/Central
• OAT coordinate with Swanwick Mil

VFR Departures

• Clear to leave RA(T) via COBEL (North) or MANOR (South), not above 3000ft VFR squawk 6010
• Low level via Northleach (N), Highworth (SE) or Blakehill Farm (SW), not above 2000ft VFR squawk 6017
• Free-flow - prenote details to Fairford Radar (eg. “Prenote: TENNIS 1, Spitfire, VFR to Duxford, MANOR departure”)
• COBEL or MANOR VFR departures contact Fairford Radar 134.555
• VFR departures via Highworth, Northleach or Blakehill Farm contact Brize Zone 119.005
• VFR freecall enroute once clear of RA(T) or outside Brize LARS coverage (40 NM)

Kemble VFR Routes

• Blue (Northwest) - Dursley DCT
• Green (Northeast) - Chedworth DCT
• Red (Southeast) - M4 J16 DCT
• Yellow (Southwest) - M4 J17 DCT
• VFR aircraft squawk 3717
• Circuit traffic squawk 7010
• Departures not above 1500 ft VFR - Kemble AFIS to prenote Brize Zone who will provide clearance
• Arrivals not above 2500 ft VFR
• Clear to enter RA(T) via a route with Basic Service, and prenote Kemble AFIS
• Transfer to Kemble AFIS (118.430) with approx. 5 NM to run
• Kemble AFIS will transfer to Brize Zone (119.005) once reported leaving the ATZ and clear of known traffic
• Example; “Brize clears GELUE to leave the RAT via the Green Route, not above altitude 1500 ft VFR, squawk 3717. Next frequency Brize Zone on 119.005.”