Visual Flight Rules Controller Procedures
Aircraft flying under VFR are not a common occurance on the VATSIM network, therfore they can often present some unique problems to controllers. By not being a common occurance, controllers can find themselves at a loss for the proper procedures needed to assist VFR aircraft. This guide will hopefully aid controllers to better understand VFR and how to interact with these aircraft when in your airspace.
Airspace Requirements
This diagram shows the various airspaces and the requirements for pilots to operate their aircraft within each one. We will address the more relevant airspaces and how they effect controllers and pilots.
Class Bravo
The Class Bravo airspace is that which is found at the nations busiest airports, for ZJX this would be found at KMCO. All aircraft operating in the Class Bravo airspace must be in contact with ATC. In addition, VFR aircraft must recieve permission from ATC to enter this airspace. This basically means that an aircraft operating under VFR must contact the active TWR or APP controller prior to entering the Bravo airspace at KMCO. In addition, while operating inside the Bravo airspace, the pilot must maintain contact with ATC and adhere to their instructions.
Keep in mind though that instructions provided to an aircraft operating under VFR are a little different than those provided to an IFR aircraft. When issuing course changes to a VFR aircraft use the terms East, West, etc..., instead of providing heading vectors. Altitude instructions are also usually given in this format..maintain at or below 1500'.
This helpful diagram clearly shows the Class Bravo airspace at KMCO and the differing altitude requirements. Keep these altitude limitations in mind when attempting to contact a VFR aircraft. As you can see a pilot south of the airport could remain below 3000' and not be considered inside of the Bravo airspace. Contacting VFR pilots that are not actually inside the Class Bravo airspace is the start of some pretty good arguments on VATSIM.
Class Charlie
Class Charlie airspace is that which surrounds an airport that has an operational tower as well as provides radar services. In laymans terms, this is usually your larger regional airports such as KJAX. Once again, VFR aircraft are required to be in contact with ATC when operating inside the Charilie airspace. As with the Bravo previously, this airspace can have several different altitudes defining its limitations. For instance at KJAX the inner most circle is from the surface up to and including 4000'. The outer half circle is from 1200' to 4000'. Aircraft operating inside of this airspace are required to be in contact with ATC in the same manner as that required in the Bravo airspace.
Therefore, it is appropriate for the active TWR, APP or CTR controller to initiate contact with VFR aircraft that are entering the Class Bravo and/or Class Charlie airspace. The pilot should contact you prior to entering, but if you do not get contacted, send a contact me message to the pilot. It is not appropriate for a DEL or GND controller to attempt contact with any aircraft that is airborne.
Charts accurately showing the various airspaces and restrictions can be found at www.skyvector.com. By reviewing these charts and becomming more famaliar with the airspace, you will be better able to controll VFR aircraft when needed.
SVFR...Special Visual Flight Rules
The purpose of SVFR is to make possible arrivals, departures and flight in Class Bravo, Charlie and Delta airspace under less than VFR conditions locally. When visibility at the field is reported at less than three stutue miles or the ceiling is less than 1000 feet, flight conditions are declared to be below VFR minimums and any flight other than IFR requires SVFR clearance. This is used to allow a VFR aircraft to depart the airport and fly directly to airspace that is VFR; or to land at an airport when arriving from airpsace that is at VFR conditions. No SVFR clearance can be issued though if visibility is less than 1 statue mile.
The controller serving as the DEL controller for an airport will be the one to grant SVFR clearance to an aircraft upon request from the pilot.
Example:
"Cessna123 is cleared out of the Class Bravo airspace to the east. Maintain SFVR while in the Class Bravo airspace at or below 1500'. Report clear of the Class Bravo or VFR contact wichever occurs first. Advise TWR SVFR eastbound."
SVFR can also be requested by VFR aircraft arriving at an airport. This occurs when conditions locally at the field are below VFR minimums. The pilot will request SVFR from the APP or CTR controller prior to entering the Class Bravo airspace or prior to entering the airspace that is currently below VFR minimums
Example:
"Cessna123 you are cleared into the Class Bravo airspace from the east. Maintain SVFR while in the Class Bravo airspace at or below 1500'. Report entering the Class Bravo airspace, report left downwind for runway XX."
Keep in mind that by granting SVFR to an aircraft you are also assuming the responsibility of keeping that aircraft clear from other traffic. Basically you will handle him similar to an IFR aircraft.
