Radio procedures for glider pilots August 2009

Transcription

1 Radio procedures for glider pilots August 2009 The use of radio is for aircraft to make calls to enhance the see and be seen environment, lookout is still the main weapon against collision but use of the radio can assist in alerting you to the presence of other traffic. This document details how we should use the radio to enhance our lookout and operate within the current rules. Aircraft should not normally need to respond to another other aircraft but use the calls to enhance their situational awareness of other aircraft and to make their lookout more effective. Lookout is still the main weapon against mid air collisions A CTAF (common traffic advisory frequency) is a designated frequency on which pilots make broadcasts when operating in the vicinity of all non controlled aerodromes. Unless otherwise depicted on charts the frequency shall be used as the CTAF. A CTAF (R) is an aerodrome which use of radio and CTAF procedures is mandatory. (Cannot operate in the vicinity of these aerodromes without radio) Oakey and Toowoomba are classified as CTAF (R) aerodromes and use of radio in the vicinity of these aerodromes is mandatory using the standard CTAF procedures. In the vicinity of all non controlled aerodromes standard CTAF procedures apply on the standard CTAF frequency of unless another frequency is promulgated. The standard CTAF broadcasts are as follows: Taxying and entering runway (usually done by tug in our case) 10nm call Base and final call. The calls are recommended, the expression "recommended" does not mean optional, rather it describes the operational flexibility of the standard positional radio broadcasts, which are uniform in phraseology and nominated for use at specific locations in and around the circuit. For example, if radio congestion prevents a pilot from calling a full broadcast at a specific location in the circuit, that broadcast can be abbreviated or even omitted. The pilot simply makes the next broadcast at the next designated circuit location. Pilots are expected to make all of the broadcasts - only operational considerations would preclude a pilot from making them. 1

2 Radio procedures when operating in the McCaffrey Airstrip area All radio-equipped aircraft must monitor the frequency and make CTAF broadcasts as they operate within the vicinity of the airstrip. The mandatory radio calls are: A taxing call or entering runway call made by the Tug pilot, no requirement for separate glider call. On release from tow by glider pilot On approaching the aerodrome at about 10km distance. Joining circuit call, this would normally be done as the downwind leg is started and consist of the following: Calls shall be made on Base leg or Final if required to alert other traffic. McCaffrey traffic, Pawnee SWR and glider on tow departing runway 12 McCaffrey SWR/MLR rope gone " McCaffery traffic glider Mike Victor 10 Kilometres to the west 2000ft descending for landing runway 12 McCaffrey" McCaffery traffic glider Mike Victor joining downwind 12 McCaffrey "Glider Mike Victor turning base 12 McCaffrey "Glider Mike Victor turning finals 12 McCaffrey When operating in Oakey restricted airspace that has been released to DDSC (glider south alpha, bravo or Charlie) all aircraft must monitor Oakey Approach monitors and can transmit on that frequency if required. It is important to listen out when operating around the DDSC circuit area, radio transmissions should be short and to the point. Non essential transmissions should be kept to a minimum. For normal operations it is probably not practical for gliders to make base and final calls due to the time available. When clear of the vicinity of the circuit area the frequency can be changed to or whichever gliding frequency is in use 2

3 Radio procedures when operating cross country For operations outside the vicinity of an aerodrome pilots of radio equipped aircraft should monitor the appropriate frequency, for gliders this will normally be the gliding frequencies 122.5, or GFA recommend that if operating on the gliding frequency, glider pilots should avoid airspace containing significant IFR traffic. If it becomes necessary or desirable to operate in airspace containing significant IFR traffic, pilots of gliders should monitor the ATS or CTAF frequency. If whilst operating on a cross country the gliders flight path will take it in the vicinity of an aerodrome the following procedure must be adhered to. Radio procedures when operating in the vicinity of other aerodromes If operating in the vicinity of any non controlled aerodrome, you must report position and intentions on the CTAF frequency. This is usually unless otherwise published These procedures generally apply within 10nm of any non controlled aerodrome at an altitude which may conflict with traffic operating at that aerodrome. The standard broadcasts are as follows: Taxying and entering runway 10nm call Base and final call These calls are recommended, the expression "recommended" does not mean optional, rather it describes the operational flexibility of the standard positional radio broadcasts, which are uniform in phraseology and nominated for use at specific locations in and around the circuit. For example, if radio congestion prevents a pilot from calling a full broadcast at a specific location in the circuit, that broadcast can be abbreviated or even omitted. The pilot simply makes the next broadcast at the next designated circuit location. Pilots are expected to make all of the broadcasts - only operational considerations would preclude a pilot from making them. 3

4 Radio procedures in vicinity of non-controlled aerodromes: Examples Inbound Overflying Base Finals 10 miles south west Dalby, Inbound for landing Dalby on descent from 3500ft. 10 miles south west Dalby, overflying to the north on descent from 7500ft Turning downwind runway 13 Dalby Turning base runway 13 Dalby Turning final runway 13 Dalby The following is a list of frequencies for use in the Darling Downs area: Toowoomba CTAF R Oakey CTAF R Oakey approach Oakey tower Oakey ATIS Oakey clearance delivery Brisbane centre Brisbane Flightwatch AERIS (weather info) CTAF Goondiwindi, Roma, Dalby, Chinchilla, Miles, Wondai, Gayndah, Taroom, Tara, Moree Kingaroy CTAF Warwick CTAF

5 Glider Frequency Operation Boundaries To make better use of available gliding chat frequencies, boundaries or zones have been drawn up which use particular chat frequencies in each zone. There are two boundary lines. The northern line starts at Toowoomba, passes 5km south of the Bunya Mountains and heads towards Taroom. The southern line starts at Toowoomba and goes through Millmerran following the main road. The zone north of the northern line uses In between the northern and southern line uses and south of the southern line uses Pilots changing into a different zone should transmit that they are leaving that zone, change to the new channel and transmit that they are on the new channel Bunya Mtns DDSC Toowoomba Millmerran