Ground Control
Your
initial position for manning ATC operations is the Ground Control Position. Your
job is to guide aircraft to and from the active runway in a safe manner.
Criteria prior to operating ATC
Capable of
flying Visual and ILS circuits in aircraft similar to a Baron58 and a Boeing
737
Have a chart of the taxiways with you for reference
Microphone
headphones with a 5x5 radio check
A notebook and pen beside you for making notes
Approval from one of our controllers to take control of ground operations
Tower
View
'Labels On' is recommended for Ground. Use F12 view zoomed out so you can see
the entire airport, press SHIFT 2, SHIFT 3, SHIFT 4 and SHIFT 6 to bring up all
required panels. It is recommended you click FADE OUT a few times to make these
panels transparent.
Handling Aircraft
Aircraft
should be considered expensive assets and must remain under your control. Any aircraft within the aerodrome that
is not following commands is uncontrolled and therefore a danger to others.
If an aircraft fails to follow instruction by radio or by chat -
Notify the Host and the uncontrolled aircraft will be removed.
Aircraft sitting on the apron should not be contacted as soon as they spawn. Pilots need time to load the game and terrain data, do preflight checks & submit flight plans. As long as the aircraft isn't moving it is not uncontrolled. The aircraft will contact you when ready to taxi.
(Should an aircraft take longer that a few minutes to call in - then a friendly call asking how long they will be is preferred. Check the chat window often. If no luck they may be removed to allow for active pilots)
Active
Runways
You need to know which runways are being used for departure and arrivals
The Tower will make this decision based on the current A.T.I.S. (Air Traffic Information Service), current flow of traffic, wind strength and pilot ability
Note: ATIS reports can vary from player to player due to update delays.
Considerations
An important factor to consider is how much runway does the aircraft require? Do
you really need to taxi them all the way down to 34L at A6. If they are a light
aircraft you can depart them from taxiway GOLF for runway 34L
AIRCRAFT DEPARTING
| PILOT | SYDNEY GROUND ABC ready to copy taxi clearance |
| GROUND | ABC taxi via - G,A,A6 - hold short 34L |
| PILOT | G,A,A6 Hold Short 34L ABC |
| Pilot will begin taxi - maintain lookout for possible traffic conflicts and instruct as necessary | |
| PILOT | SYDNEY GROUND ABC request permission to cross runway 25 |
| GROUND | ABC cleared to cross 25 |
| PILOT | Cleared to cross 25 ABC |
| pilot should continue to taxi all the way to the end of A to A6 | |
| PILOT | SYDNEY GROUND ABC ready for departure 34L @ A6 |
| GROUND | ABC CONTACT TOWER 120.50 G'day |
| PILOT | CONTACT TOWER 120.50 G'day ABC |
AIRCRAFT ARRIVING
| PILOT | SYDNEY GROUND ABC Clear at B10 request taxi to domestic terminal gate 49 |
| GROUND | ABC taxi via B10,B,C1 to domestic gate 49 |
| PILOT | B10,B,C1 to Gate 49 ABC
SYDNEY GROUND ABC request permission to cross 25 at B |
| GROUND | ABC cleared to cross 25 |
| PILOT | Cleared 25 ABC
SYDNEY GROUND ABC is full stop at Gate 49 |
| GROUND | ABC ATC Services Terminated G'Day |
| PILOT | ATC Terminated ABC - G'Day and Many Thanks - Good Job |