Users of VA airspace should comply with the following additional Division regulations.
1 : Online Conduct
- 'DCT', 'DCT GPS', 'Direct GPS' or the like is not a valid flight plan in the VA Division
-
If you are in the situation where there is no way point on your route,
use one something similar to: Departing the North, East, South or West
along the coast.
- The use of the Departure and Destination airfields as part of the flight plan are not acceptable.
- The use of the Departure and Destination airfields VOR as part of the flight plan is not acceptable.
- In addition the local controller will be able to suggest a valid flight plan for intended routes.
- To
enable a better service pilots are reminded to add one of the following
to their flight plan comments/remarks section for information to
controllers:
- /T/ = Text Only Pilot
- /V/ = Voice Transmit and Receive
- /R/ = Voice Receive Only
- squawk codes in use are
- VFR = 2000
- IFR from uncontrolled airfield = 2000
- Hijacking = 7500 (Not allowed on VATSIM)
- Complete radio failure = 7600
- Onboard emergency = 7700
2. Controller ATIS Requirements
"The
first line of any CONTROLLER INFORMATION (ATIS) will contain voice
channel switching or network information that is either automatically
inserted by the ATC software or manually entered by the controller, and
thereafter a controller shall add not more than 4-lines of pilot
operational information. A line shall be not more than 64 characters in
length. Wherever possible a controller should try to construct the
Controller information in fewer than the maximum number of lines
allowed by this policy".
Information that is NOT allowed to be included in the Controller Information is; Controller's Name and or Rating
Controller's frequency
Raw METAR data that has not been decoded by the controller.
Position Specific Guidelines
Different ATC positions have different Controller Information
requirements. This section provides guidelines for each position.
Clearance Delivery (DEL)
Availability - Log off time (UTC)
Become an ATC @ www.yourva.com
Ground: (GND)
Ground ATIS should refer pilots to the associated local Tower
Example:
"ATIS AVBL FROM TWR"
Note: If Tower is not online, Ground must display Tower ATIS
Example:
"Landing & departing runway 24. Open until 1930Z
Advise controller you have CHARLIE on initial contact
Become an ATC @ www.yourva.com"
Tower: (TWR)
Tower must at all times provide a FULL ATIS that complies
with the content guidelines.
Example:
"Landing & departing runway 24. Open until 1930Z
Advise controller you have CHARLIE on initial contact
Become an ATC @ www.yourva.com
Approach (APP)
Approach should provide a FULL ATIS in accordance with the content guidelines
Example:
"Landing & departing runway 24. Open until 1930Z
Advise controller you have CHARLIE on initial contact
Become an ATC @ www.yourva.com"
Area Control: (CTR)
Position name and service coverage.
Example
"Johannesburg area, extended coverage to ATZ's.
Open until 1930Z. VFR Traffic Squawk 2000.
Become an ATC @ www.yourva.com"
Oceanic :
Not used, Become an ATC @ www.yourva.com
3 : Restrictive Ratings
The following table lists the restrictions that apply to specific ATC positions in the VA Division.
| Controller Rating |
Ground |
Tower |
Approach |
Area Control |
| Student ATC [S1] |
Everywhere |
None |
None |
None |
| Senior Student ATC [S3] |
Everywhere |
Everywhere |
None |
None |
| Air Traffic Controller[C1] |
Everywhere |
Everywhere |
Everywhere |
None |
| Senior Air Traffic Controller[C3] |
Everywhere |
Everywhere |
Everywhere |
Everywhere |
Due to the leniency of these positions, a TWR controller must be online
at an airport before a GND position can be manned there, and the full
permission and agreement of the TWR controller must be obtained first.
4 : Use of Guard Frequency
As per the VATSIM Code of Conduct the use of the guard channel (121.50) is forbidden.
5 : Use of ATC Channel
Please be considerate of others by using the ATC channel purely for brief operational messages.
6 : Emergencies
Whilst
a pilot has the right to simulate an emergency, Pilots who do simulate
emergencies are expected to follow the correct published procedures.
VA reserve the right to refuse simulated emergencies. If asked not to
perform one the pilot must either cancel the emergency or disconnect
from the network.
7 : FSS Callsigns
FSS
Callsigns are permitted within VA, these FSS positions are manned by
ATC Staff and are used for the purpose of aviation information and
communication relay.
8 : Visiting Controllers
Regional
policy states that controllers from other divisions may not control
outside their division. VA has taken the decision not to accept any
visiting controllers at this point in time. This policy will be opened
for review at a later point in time.
9 : Controller performance monitoring
If
a controller is found not performing to the required standards for the
rating or position he is controlling, any VA ATC instructor will
require that the controller vacate the position immediately. VA ATC
instructors may at any time require controllers performing below the
set standard, to re-do any skills development training as required from
time to time.
10 : Conflict Resolution
Should a conflict occur in the VA airspace, refer to the VATSIM conflict resolution policy.
11:Unicom Frequency
In our attempt to keep it as real as it gets the Unicom Frequency in use in South Africa is 124.800
It is voice enabled and the channel in use it rw.liveatc.net/unicom-za
Your attention is drawn to the following:
- On VATSIM the primary communication method for Unicom is text.
- If
you are 100% certain that all aircraft in a 80nm range around you is
monitoring Unicom 124.80 on voice, then you are allowed to transmit on
voice only.
- If you are unsure if that is the case you must transmit all intentions on Unicom 124.80 in text.
Before commencing any movement on the ground, follow the following procedure to ensure your radios is working:
- Ensure you are tunes to 124.800
- Transmit the following message.
Any stations, this is ZS-XYZ at Cape Town International on 124.80,
radio check please. (change your call sign and location to suit your
needs)
- If no stations replies or you are told someone is text only then you must transmit your intentions via text.
- You may repeat the transmission on voice if you wish.
Note: The Unicom Frequency is for broadcasting your flying intentions only.
The frequency will be monitored by VA Staff Members and any member
making him/her self guilty of abusing the frequency might find
themselves suspended from the network pending an investigation.
Allowed use of the GPS Navigation system in South African Airspace
This paragraph prescribes the requirements for the use of a GPS within South African airspace, for the purpose of –
- position fixing;
- long range navigation including operations on designated RNAV routes;
- deriving distance information, for en route navigation, traffic information and ATC separation; and
- application of RNAV based separation.
- GPS must not be used as a sole means navigation system or for instrument approaches.
- GPS may continue to be used as an en route supplemental navigation aid.
|
