Training Department www.ukvirtual.co.uk GA Club Entry UKV-GA UKV 2013 Various Authors
2 Training Department UKVirtual Contents Introduction... 4 Who is the UKV-GA course for?... 4 Instructors & Support Staff... 4 Pilot Instructors... 4 Support Controllers... 4 Joining the GA Club... 4 Your Session... 5 Style... 5 Arrangements... 5 Prerequisites... 5 During the Session... 6 Elements... 6 Controller Communication... 6 The Flight... 7 Pre-Flight briefing... 7 FSInn and FSCopilot... 7 Spawning... 8 Tracker and Flight Plan... 8 Runway Selection... 8 Initial Contact and taxi... 9 Obtaining Flight Clearance...10
Training Department UKVirtual 3 Obtaining Take-off Clearance...11 The Pattern...11 Orbiting...13 Leaving the Zone...13 Entering the Zone...15 Joining the Pattern...16 Full stop Landing...17 Theory of the Pattern...18 Aerodrome and Entry/Exit Lanes...19
4 Training Department UKVirtual Introduction Who is the UKV-GA course for? The UKV-GA course is an entry requirement for the UKVirtual General Aviation club. Typically requiring little or no training, the course is easy to get through for both beginners and experienced pilots alike offering speedy entrance into the GA club. It has been designed to be accessible to all members, regardless of their knowledge. Instructors & Support Staff There are six key personnel responsible for this course. The course coordinator is the Training and Control Manager Aaron Readle. Pilot Instructors Darren Martin (UNI103) Lead Instructor Ernie Eyre (UNI155) Tom Calland (UNI249) Support Controllers Aaron Readle (UNI107) Lead Controller Oliver Trehearne (UNI232) Connor Down-Deasey (UNI175) Joining the GA Club Once you have passed your UKV-GA examination, you can join the GA club. The Director of General Operations will modify your account. To request your exam session, please contact the course coordinator Aaron Readle. aaron@ukvirtual.co.uk
Training Department UKVirtual 5 Your Session Style The examination involved is highly informal and is treated as a learning experience. If you do not understand any aspect of what you are being asked to do, then you can ask as many questions as you like during your session with no risk of being penalised. Providing that you demonstrate to the instructor that you have listened and acted upon any advice given, you will still be able to fulfil all of the criteria. Arrangements Once you submit a request to the course coordinator, a suitable date and time will be found where you, your instructor, and a supporting controller are all mutually available. Once this date and time has been confirmed, your session will be added to the calendar. You need to be on TeamSpeak at least 15 minutes prior to the start time. If a problem arises and you can no longer make your session please inform your instructor, controller and the course coordinator immediately. The session will last between one hour and two hours subject to no technical difficulties. Please assess the prerequisites below and contact Technical Operations if you need assistance with fixing any problems. Prerequisites Please make sure that you have all of the following before your session. Working TeamSpeak 2 and TeamSpeak 3 installations. FSX SP2/Acceleration A fully configured FSInn client and FSInn server login details. UKVirtual Flight Tracker, installed and working. A PDF reader such as Adobe Reader, available freely online. This document either open on-screen or printed. Time set aside with family members or friends during which you can remain free from any distractions.
6 Training Department UKVirtual During the Session Elements Your session will be organised, efficient and fluent consisting of the following. A welcome and discussion about your current level of experience so that the instructor can help you more effectively. A pre-flight brief, in which you will discuss the weather, ATC arrangements, and your training aerodrome (Liverpool, UK). You will explore the different charts needed for your flight, and why each one is important. A VFR flight lasting between 30 and 60 minutes during which you will communicate with ATC in a controlled environment, and have the ability to ask whatever questions you like to further your own understanding. A debrief during which you will be given advice and guidance from your instructor if necessary, as well as being able to ask any outstanding questions. A final verdict - as to whether you can enter the GA club immediately, or whether you need another session to make sure that you understand everything. Controller Communication Communicating with ATC is an important part of all events at UKV, and is essential for flying on large networks such as VATSIM. The thought of having to communicate with ATC can be daunting for newcomers. The UKV-GA session provides a secure environment where there is no risk of embarrassment - in which you can practice your skills and get help directly from both your instructor and the controller. This is a great opportunity to get started in the world of ATC, or just fine-tune your skills if you are more experienced.
Training Department UKVirtual 7 The Flight During your GA Club check-ride you will be required to follow a strict structure in terms of your flight. This description and transcript has been made to ensure that you are fully aware as to what the flight consists of along with the correct radiotelephony dialogue to ensure you pass. You will start your GA check-ride by having a pre-flight briefing with your examiner. Pre-Flight briefing The pre-flight briefing will consist of: Reviewing weather information (either METARs or simple winds and cloud cover, depending on how experienced you are) Charts - To ensure you are fully familiar with your surroundings whilst flying Flying Arrangements - Your examiner will go over the structure for the flight, including the structure of the Traffic Pattern, also known as the Circuit. Controller Arrangements You will discuss the ATC arrangements with the person controlling your flight. Installation of Hamachi VPN to facilitate the LAN session. After these elements have been discussed with your examiner, the next stage is setting up FSInn and FSCopilot for the flight. FSInn and FSCopilot Your examiner will briefly ensure that you know how to use your FSInn and FSCopilot modules to make sure that you are able to connect to the network with competence and no complications. This element of the GA check-ride will simply consist of: Connecting to FSInn Connecting to TeamSpeak 2 for voice communications, either automatically through the FSInn software, or manually. You are required to use TeamSpeak 2 for voice communications on FSInn since the module simply converts the internal radios in your aircraft on FSX to a corresponding TeamSpeak channel. With FSInn and FSCopilot you can also connect to VATSIM, with whom we have a partnership. Once you have configured this element of the setup, your examiner will make sure you know how to book a flight and use charter mode.
8 Training Department UKVirtual Spawning You will spawn at Liverpool Airport (EGGP) as this is the designated training aerodrome. You will join your instructor s aircraft through the LAN session, allowing shared cockpit capability. You will need to join the LAN session using the Hamachi client, which allows your computer and your instructor s computer to connect directly to each other. Tracker and Flight Plan This element of the set up ready for your check-ride will allow the instructor to make sure that you know how to book a flight on the website, and configure charter flights. You will set up the tracker in charter mode and start logging your flight. You will then need to file your flight plan ready for your flight. You will submit your flight plan using the FSInn software. Runway Selection This will simply consist on deciding which runways are in use relative to the winds. The examiner will ensure that you are fully competent in doing this during the check-ride. The next stage of the description will involve communications transcripts to which you should refer before your check-ride. These transcripts fulfil the CAA real-world requirements. You may wish to read the transcripts in detail before your flight to ensure that you are confident with your communications.
Training Department UKVirtual 9 Initial Contact and taxi The examiner will hand you control of the aircraft and you will complete the correct checks before you begin taxiing. You will disengage your parking brake and steadily taxi to holding point K at Liverpool before initiating contact with Air Traffic Control. This is because the GA apron at Liverpool is not controlled by ATC. Taxi at a constant speed to reduce delays. You will then need to call up ATC on the appropriate frequency to test communications. You should use the following format once you have tuned to Tower (126.350). Liverpool Tower, G-UNIX, radio-check Liverpool Tower will then respond with a scale of how readable you are over the frequency. Usually 1 means that you are unreadable, and 5 means you are perfectly readable and clear. G-UNIX, Liverpool Tower, readability 5 You must then acknowledge the Air Traffic Controller by simply saying: Readability 5 also, G-UNIX Once you have done this you will need to request taxi permission from the controller covering Liverpool. Follow the following structure for referral: Liverpool Tower, G-UNIX, holding K, request taxi VFR G-UNIX, roger, Taxi holding point G for Runway 27 via A, Liverpool QNH 1013 hectopascals
10 Training Department UKVirtual Taxi holding point G for Runway 27 via A QNH 1013, G-UNIX Once you have obtained your taxi instructions, you should comply by taxiing as soon as possible to the designated holding point supplied by ATC. Move swiftly and with precision to ensure minimum delay for the controller. Obtaining Flight Clearance Once you have taxied to your holding point as designated by ATC, you will be required to obtain your clearance. You will be completing two VFR Circuits out of Liverpool as part of your GA check-ride executing two different types of landing. These could be Touch and Go Landing and taking off again without stopping. Stop and Go Stopping on the runway and then accelerating for take-off again. Low approach and Go around Going around before completing the landing. You will be required to complete two of these during your check-ride with the examiner. Here is how you should obtain your clearance from Air Traffic Control. You must be at your holding point first before initiating contact. Tower, G-UNIX, holding G for Runway 27, request VFR Circuit clearance G-UNIX, roger, cleared left hand visual circuit, not above altitude 1500ft, Liverpool QNH 1013, Squawk 7010 Cleared left hand visual circuit, not above altitude 1500ft, QNH 1013, Squawk 7010, G- UNIX G-UNIX, correct, report ready for departure
Training Department UKVirtual 11 Obtaining Take-off Clearance Before you obtain clearance from Air Traffic Control to depart. Once you feel that you are ready to depart, you may then go ahead and proceed with the necessary transmission to ATC as follows: (You may abbreviate your callsign to 3 letters G followed by the last two letters of your callsign - as soon as the controller starts doing it.) Tower, G-IX, ready for departure G-IX, roger, with a left turn out Runway 27, cleared for take-off, surface winds are calm Cleared for take-off, G-IX You should then align the aircraft on the runway for departure. Check that no other traffic is in your vicinity that could potentially affect you. Once you are happy, you should depart. The Pattern As part of your pre-flight briefing, you will have discussed the stages of the pattern. You must be able to execute these stages correctly within the limitations of the Air Traffic Clearance you obtained on the ground before departing. Once you have turned downwind (parallel to the departure runway) you will then need to call ATC for an approach clearance. You will need to choose the type of approach you wish to carry out. You may choose from either three options. You are doing two circuits and must choose two options from this list. Touch and Go Stop and Go Low approach and Go around Your instructor will advise you on any type of approach you wish to perform. In our example, we use the concept of a Touch and Go.
12 Training Department UKVirtual G-IX, downwind for a touch and go G-IX, roger, report final Runway 27, number 1 Report final, number 1, G-IX Once you have positioned yourself for the final approach, you will then contact ATC again. G-IX final Runway 27 G-IX roger, Runway 27 cleared touch and go, surface winds are calm Cleared touch and go Runway 27, G-IX After you have departed again, you will fly the circuit as normal up to the downwind leg. The examiner will then remind you that you are to leave the zone to the North as discussed in your pre-flight briefing. You must advise ATC that you wish to undergo this stage after your next circuit during the downwind call. You do this as follows.
Training Department UKVirtual 13 G-IX, downwind runway 27 for a stop and go, after departure, request to leave the zone to the north, VFR G-IX, roger, report final runway 27, number 1, advise when able to copy your after departure instructions Orbiting To give you some time to get your after departure instructions, your instructor will ask you to request orbits from the controller. Orbits are simply flying in the path of a small circle. Tower, G-IX, request right/left hand orbit G-IX, roger, enter the right/left hand orbit Once you have entered the orbit you may then advise the controller you are ready to copy your clearance. Your instructor may take control of the aircraft during this period. Leaving the Zone Once in your orbit, you must then tell ATC that you are ready to obtain your after departure instructions to leave to the north. Ensure you have a pen and paper to hand to note any instructions they may give you. The dialogue is as follows: Ready to copy instructions, G-IX G-IX, roger, after departure leave the zone via the Seaforth VRP, not above altitude 1500ft, QNH 1013, Squawk 7000
14 Training Department UKVirtual After departure, leave the zone via the Seaforth VRP, not above altitude 1500ft, QNH 1013, Squawk 7000, G-IX G-IX, read back correct When you are ready to exit the orbit you can request cancellation. Tower, G-IX, request to cancel orbits G-IX, roger, report final, number 1 The next line of contact with ATC is on your final approach. During this time, you should pay attention to other traffic and review briefly the VRP area chart for Liverpool. On your final approach, you should repeat the same dialog as you did on your first circuit. You will perform your chosen approach and then leave the runway. Once you have departed you should then inform ATC of your routing G-UNIX, departing to the North via Seaforth G-IX, roger, report overhead Seaforth, QNH 1013 Wilco, G-IX
Training Department UKVirtual 15 During this time, you will be referring to the charts to ensure you accurately navigate to the VRP. Once you are confident you are overhead the VRP, you will then need to contact Air Traffic again to advise them. G-UNIX, overhead Seaforth G-UNIX, roger, monitor UNICOM on 122.8 Monitor UNICOM 122.8, G-UNIX, bye. Entering the Zone Once you are overhead Seaforth and you have been handed off, you will then be advised by your instructor that you are to enter controlled airspace again to land back at the aerodrome. You simply need to tune your radio back to Tower to obtain a clearance. The usual entry point from the North is Kirkby, you should refer and navigate to this location on the chart prior to entry. The dialogue is as follows: (You must use your full call sign again until ATC abbreviates it for you) Liverpool Tower, G-UNIX to the North VFR, request entry G-IX, Liverpool Tower, roger, enter the zone via Kirkby, not above altitude 1500ft, QNH 1013, squawk 4360 Enter the zone via Kirkby, not above altitude 1500ft, QNH 1013, Squawk 4360, G-IX
16 Training Department UKVirtual G-IX correct, report overhead Wilco, G-IX Joining the Pattern Once you are confident that you are overhead and that you have flown the minimum requirements supplied by ATC, you may then advise them of your location along with your intentions. Dialog is as followed: G-IX, overhead Kirkby, request join, to land G-IX roger, report the field in sight Wilco, G-IX When you have the airfield in sight Airfield in sight, G-IX G-IX, join right/left base runway 09/27, QNH 1013
Training Department UKVirtual 17 Join right/left base runway 09/27, QNH 1013, G-IX Once you are on the base leg, you must report similar to your previous circuit practice. Full stop Landing You may then fly to the final approach point for the assigned runway as cleared by ATC. As opposed to you flying one of the three choices as previously done, you are now simply landing. ATC dialogue is as follows G-IX, Final runway 09/27 G-IX, roger, cleared to land runway 09/27, surface winds are calm Cleared to land Runway 09/27, G-IX Once you are safely on the ground, you will vacate and taxi back to the General Aviation parking. Use the following dialogue Tower, G-IX, vacated right/left, request taxi to GA G-IX, taxi to GA, via A and Link K Taxi GA, via A and Link K, G-IX
18 Training Department UKVirtual Theory of the Pattern You need to be able to understand the four major components of the traffic pattern. Crosswind Leg Downwind Leg Base Leg Final The direction you turn (left or right after departure) depends on the active runway. Landing Landing Final Crosswind Leg Left Hand Circuit Runway 27 Downwind Leg Base Leg Final Landing Landing Base Leg Right Hand Circuit Runway 09 Downwind Leg Crosswind Leg
Training Department UKVirtual 19 Aerodrome and Entry/Exit Lanes
20 Training Department UKVirtual This document may not be modified, reproduced or redistributed without prior permission from the UKVirtual Board of Directors. This document is for use for flight simulation only and comes without warranty or assurance of any description.