Flying the VFR Coastal Route - Victor 1

Flying the VFR Coastal Route - Victor 1

Preliminary information The information provided in these slides focusses on requirements relating to flying the Victor 1 coastal route, current at March 2013. The route lies within busy airspace. Careful pre-flight planning and familiarisation with the requirements of the route to be flown, with reference to the official documents, is essential. Pilots are also advised to discuss the requirements of operating within the Sydney basin area with a flying instructor and/or other experienced pilots. Any comments on information in this presentation can be directed to Matt Thomas, mthomas@centralwestflying.com

The Sydney basin: An overview of the big picture Airspace and general procedures Sydney control zone Altitude limits to remain outside controlled airspace (OCTA) Radio frequencies Light aircraft lanes Traffic see and avoid Bankstown and Camden Approach points and altitudes Monitor tower frequencies near control zone boundaries and approach points Non controlled aerodromes e.g. The Oaks, Wedderburn Remain clear of circuit, monitor CTAF frequencies and lookout for traffic

Essential charts and reading Sydney Visual Terminal Chart (VTC) / Sydney General Flying Guide (GFG) Enroute Supplement Aus (ERSA) - Sydney (Kingsford Smith) - VFR Coastal Route Victor 1 Sydney Basin Visual Flying Guide (VFG) OnTrack (Bankstown) CASA s web resource http://services.casa.gov.au/ontrack/index.html

Briefing overview Aim: To know how to fly the VFR Coastal Route - Victor 1. Objectives: 1. Appreciate the airspace and requirements for this route. 2. Know navigation/tracking, altitude and radio procedure requirements. 3. Know how to conduct relevant emergency procedures.

What is the VFR Coastal Route - Victor 1? Long Reef Victor 1 is a VFR Coastal Route east and beneath the Sydney Control Zone (represented by the purple dots). Jibbon Point C LL 500 South Head C LL 2500 C LL 1000 Victor 1 is in Class G airspace. No airways clearance is required, as aircraft track outside controlled airspace along this route. Radio calls are made on the common traffic frequency 120.8 MHz, with Transponder set to 1200. Victor 1 is divided into two sections: Victor 1 NORTH between South Head and Dee Why/Long Reef. Victor 1 SOUTH between Jibbon Point and South Head.

Victor 1 NORTH C LL 500 Long Reef South Head C LL 2500 C LL 1000 Between Dee Why/Long Reef and South Head. Victor 1 NORTH is flown at an altitude between 500FT and 1000FT. Aircraft must remain over water at all times. When joining southbound, pilots must ensure they descend to 500FT before passing South Head.

Victor 1 SOUTH Between Jibbon Point and South Head. Jibbon Point C LL 500 South Head C LL 2500 C LL 1000 Victor 1 SOUTH requires an altitude of 500FT on YSSY QNH. YSSY QNH is available prior to joining Victor 1 from the ATIS 126.25(see ERSA). Remain east of the coastline, with no coastal flying permitted over South Sydney beaches (more on this later). Ensure you reach 500 FT before passing either Jibbon Point when northbound, or South Head when southbound.

Some cautions Wake turbulence risk in Victor 1 South See and avoid aircraft operating in Victor 1 and at YSSY. Use YSSY ATIS to indicate runways in use. Particular caution with traffic using RWY 07/25. Consider varying your route to give heavy aircraft time to overfly your track, if you are concerned about separation. Wake turbulence standard of 1000FT vertical separation from heavy aircraft, 6 nm or 3 mins. WebTrak http://webtrak.bksv.com/syd

Some cautions See and avoid other aircraft Try to keep oncoming aircraft on your left. Southbound ACFT fly closest to coast. Northbound ACFT track further offshore to allow oncoming ACFT to pass on their left. Respond with your position to radio calls of oncoming aircraft. Be aware of other aircraft and helicopters conducting scenic/coastal flights. Look out for hang gliders / paragliders at Stanwell Tops (to the south) and coastal cliffs. Be aware of wind Hold your drift angle to maintain spacing from the coast and other traffic Lifejackets must be worn in single engine aircraft Consider putting these on before departure. Read instructions and be thoroughly familiar with life jacket operation.

Flying Victor 1 - from North to South Barrenjoey Head Narrabeen Flying Victor 1 North Altitudes: Descend below 1000FT on SY QNH by Long Reef and then descend to 500FT before South Head C LL 1000 Long Reef North Head South Head C LL 2500 Joining Victor 1, make the following radio call on 120.8 MHz: Traffic Victor 1 [ACFT type, call sign], Long Reef, Southbound, [altitude], Victor 1 oncoming traffic will say their position along Victor 1. Radio: Victor 1-120.8 and SY CEN - 125.8 on STBY for emergency use. Remain over water Use radio alerted see and avoid to separate yourself from other traffic Respond to oncoming traffic, with your position, altitude and intentions. Keep oncoming traffic on the left (if possible)

Flying Victor 1 - from North to South Jibbon Point C LL 500 South Head C LL 1000 Inform Victor 1 traffic when you are clear of Jibbon Point and consider making a Traffic South of Victor 1 call with your position, altitude, and intentions on SY CEN 124.55 Flying Victor 1 South Altitude: Descend to and maintain 500FT on SY QNH from South Head Radio: Victor 1-120.8 (and SY CEN - 125.8 on STBY) Spacing from the coast to remain OCTA. - No coastal flying is permitted over beaches between Ben Buckler and Cape Solander (fly east of a line joining these points). After passing Jibbon Point: Make a radio call that you are clear of Victor 1. Set radio to SY CEN 124.55 Climb to remain below controlled airspace lower levels (unless you have a clearance)

Flying Victor 1 - from South to North Flying Victor 1 South Jibbon Point C LL 500 South Head C LL 1000 Joining Victor 1, make the following radio call on 120.8 MHz: Traffic Victor 1, [ACFT type, call sign], Jibbon Point, Northbound, 500 FT, Victor 1 oncoming traffic should respond with their position along Victor 1. Altitudes: Reach 500FT on SY QNH before Jibbon Point Radio: Victor 1-120.8 and SY CEN (and 125.8 on STBY for emergency use). Spacing from the coast to remain OCTA. - No coastal flying is permitted over beaches between Ben Buckler and Cape Solander. You must fly to the east of a line joining these points. Use radio alerted see and avoid to separate yourself from other traffic Respond to oncoming traffic, with your position, altitude and intentions. Keep oncoming traffic on the left (if possible)

Flying Victor 1 - from South to North C LL 1000 Barrenjoey Head Narrabeen Long Reef North Head South Head C LL 2500 Inform Victor 1 traffic when you are clear of Dee Why/Long Reef and consider making a Traffic Northern Beaches Area call with your position, altitude, and intentions on SY CEN 125.8 Flying Victor 1 North Altitude: Between 500FT and 1000FT on SY QNH after South Head Radio: Victor 1-120.8 (and SY CEN - 125.8 on STBY for emergency use) Remain over water After passing Dee Why/ Long Reef: Make a radio call that you are clear of Victor 1. Set radio to SY CEN 125.8 Climb to below 2500FT

Emergency procedures Aeronautical Information Manual Feb 2012 http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim/aimbasic2-9-2012.pdf Engine failure - Forced landing/ Ditching Trouble checks: Fuel, Carby Heat, Mixture, Switches Maintain glide approach airspeed and select place to land - Plan descent fly the aeroplane until it comes to rest Mayday call on SY CEN frequency, XPDR 7700 PAX briefing and use of EPIRB Shut down checks. Consider taking headsets off and stowing them, and opening doors and windows to assist evacuation when in the water Ditch into wind, on the backside or along swell (if possible) Evacuate, inflate life jackets and rescue

Emergency procedures Radio failure Radio is mandatory on Victor 1, so consider turn back Proceed to destination aerodrome OCTA Make calls with the prefix: Transmitting blind,... Transponder 7600 Look out for and remain well separated from other traffic Follow radio failure procedure at destination aerodrome

Quiz 1. What charts and other documents will you use to plan this flight and then carry with you when you fly this route? 2. Where do you join Victor 1 South, northbound? What altitude must you be at before you pass this point? 3. Before joining Victor 1, where must you get the QNH for your altimeter? 4. What is the frequency for Victor 1 and what radio calls are made when flying the VFR Coastal Route? 5. What is the location that divides Victor1 North and South and what differentiates these two segments? 6. What requirements are there with regard to coastal flying in order to remain OCTA? 7. What would you do if you had an engine failure or radio failure? 8. What are the emergency frequencies in this area? 9. What must you wear on this route, if you fly a single engine aeroplane? 10. Can you identify a flying instructor or experienced pilot who you can talk to about the requirements of this route and your intentions?