vRAF Quick Reference Handbook v1.4 - VAPTAMS V2 | …vaptams.vraf.net/uploads/docs/Guides/vRAF_QRHv1.4.pdf · All QRA Fighter aircraft must use this squawk when engaged in QRA Operations

vRAF Quick Reference Handbook – v1.4 – © vRAF 2015 vRAF Quick Reference Handbook – v1.4 – © vRAF 2015

virtual Royal Air Force

Air to Air Frequencies

This is a list of all discrete frequencies used by the vRAF. Discrete frequencies are set up using the Private Voice

Channel area of FSInn. The vRAF will always utilise the “voice1.vacc-sag.org” server, unless pre-briefed

otherwise. The channel will be the full UHF frequency shown below. IE, the Tain Range discrete frequency

would be “voice1.vacc-sag.org/339.800”.

Quick Reference

Handbook

Ranges 340.475 ABERPORTH RANGE

264.725 DONNA NOOK RANGE 283.725 MANORBIER RANGE

264.725 PEMBREY RANGE 241.825 SPADEADAM (MOD) RANGE

279.125 TAIN RANGE 281.375 HOLBEACH RANGE

241.875 CASTLEMARTIN RANGE 243.625 SALISBURY PLAIN OPERATIONS LFA 1 Alpha

276.725 OTA GOLF - WALES AIR/AIR 276.000 SALISBURY PLAIN OPERATIONS

Squadron Air / Air 336.800 10 Sqn Air / Air

279.200 11 (F) Sqn Air / Air 361.750 12 (B) Sqn Air / Air 269.150 29 (R) Sqn Air / Air 244.450 41 (R) Sqn Air / Air

257.700 70 Sqn Air / Air

Air to Air Refuelling 264.125 AAR PRIMARY

264.925 AAR SECONDAY 362.100 AAR TERTIARY

vRAF Quick Reference Handbook – v1.4 – © vRAF 2015

Squawk Codes

All aircraft when operating solo must squawk Charlie. When operating as a formation, the leader must squawk

Charlie with all other aircraft squawking standby within two mile spacing. Should the formation separate, then

the remaining aircraft must squawk Charlie.

General Squawk Codes (When not under ATC control)

Sqk 7001 - For use by military fixed-wing aircraft on passing 2000 ft MSD in the descent to the UK Low

Flying System (LFS) and retained whilst operating in the LFS.

Sqk 7002 - For use by military aircraft operating in Danger Areas. You must revert to either your conspicuity code

or low level code as appropriate when complete.

Sqk 7004 - For use by aircraft taking part in practice or live Aerobatics displays and other general

aerobatic manoeuvres (not associated with ACM)

Sqk 7005 – For use by aircraft conducting high energy manoeuvres below FL195 and outwith the UK Low

Flying System where no discrete squawk has been assigned.

Sqk 7363 - For use by aircraft operating in D703 (Tain). You must revert to either your conspicuity code or

low level code as appropriate when complete.

Sqk 1301 - 1327 - For use by aircraft engaged in Air Policing (Air Defence) Flights. All QRA Fighter aircraft must

use this squawk when engaged in QRA Operations.

Sqk 1730 - 1767 - For use by aircraft operating in the Spadeadam Range area.

Sqk 0023 – For Aircraft Engaged in SAR Operations

Sqk 0033 – For Aircraft engaged in paradropping. Code must be selected a minimum of 5 minutes prior to

commencing paradrops.

Airfield Conspicuity Codes


Aircraft ICAO Codes Below the correct ICAO codes for aircraft for FSInn:

Tornado (All Models) - TOR Typhoon (All Models) - EUFI

Hercules (All Models Except J) – C130 Hercules (J Model) - C30J C-17 Globemaster - C17

Chinook - H47 Puma - PUMA

Hawk (All Models) - HAWK Grob Tutor – G115

Tucano - TUCA Beech King Air 200 - B200 Beech King Air 350 - B350

Griffin - B412 Sentinel R1 - GLEX E-3D Sentry – E3D

Voyager (All Models) – A330

3737 RAF Brize Norton Approach Conspicuity 1757 RAF Coningsby Conspicuity 2601 RAF Cranwell Conspicuity

4501 RAF Linton-on-Ouse Conspicuity 3701 RAF Lossiemouth Conspicuity

3640 RAF Odiham Conspicuity 0240 RAF Shawbury Conspicuity

3755 RAF Valley Conspicuity


Radar Corridors

Radar Corridors are used by Military Aircraft to transit crowded Civilian Airspace. These Radar Corridors are

mainly to facilitate crossing from one side of the Country to the other, however smaller radar corridors have been established to enable military aircraft to access training areas and AIAAs such as the Spadeadam Range.

What is a Radar Corridor?

A Radar Corridor is a corridor of airspace through Civilian Airways that is controlled by Military Controllers to facilitate the transit of Military Traffic across busy areas of airspace.

The available levels are usually only one flight level and pre-co-ordination is a must.

How do I utilise Radar Corridors? Radar Corridors do not require any specific NOTAMs but are not permanently available for you to fly through at

the drop of a hat.


Some Radar Corridors are available with a call at 5 minutes prior to entry, some require comments to be inserted into the Flight Plan.

Order of Contact: To request corridor crossing, your first point of contact is to be London Mil. Should Mil not be online, then contact the appropriate Area Control Centre. If an Area controller is not online, It is suggested that you advise nearby units that you will be intending to cross the RC (IE if using Lichfield, advise EGBB/EGNX if online). It is also strongly suggested that you Self Announce on UNICOM and maintain a very good watch out

/ Radar Scan.

Lichfield Radar Corridor

Transit To/From: Lincolnshire <-> Mid Wales

Eastern Entry Point: CWZ/251/17nm Western Entry Point: HON/297/31nm

Levels: FL140 (Both Directions) Entry Requirements: Contact Controlling Authority min 5 mins before entering

Daventry Radar Corridor

Transit To/From: East Anglia <-> South Wales

Eastern Entry Point: DTY/066/26nm Western Entry Point: DTY/246/28nm

Levels: FL100 (Both Directions) Entry Requirements: Enter in FPL Remarks, Call controlling authority with as much notice as possible

Westcott Radar Corridor

Transit Area: Westcott / Terminal Control Area

Eastern Entry Point: LKH/285/17nm Western Entry Point: BZN TACAN

Levels: FL230 & FL240 Entry Requirements: Enter in FPL Remarks, Call controlling authority with as much notice as possible

Swindon Radar Corridor

Transit Area: Swindon / West TCA

North Eastern Entry Point: FFA/052/4nm South Western Entry Point: LYE/225/12nm

Levels: FL230 & FL240 Entry Requirements: Enter in FPL Remarks, Call controlling authority with as much notice as possible

Gamston Radar Corridor

Transit To/From: Lincolnshire <-> Vale of York / North Sea

Eastern Entry Point: OTR/260/19nm Western Entry Point: GAM/157/3nm

Levels: FL190 (Both Directions) Entry Requirements: Call controlling authority with as much notice as possible


UK Low Flying System

Tilni Radar Corridor

Transit To/From: Spadeadam <-> Vale of York

Eastern Entry Point: NEW/177/27nm Western Entry Point: NEW/213/27nm

Levels: FL190 (Both Directions) Entry Requirements: Call controlling authority with minimum 5 minutes notice.

Dean Cross Radar Corridor

Transit To/From: West Scotland <-> Spadeadam

Eastern Entry Point: DCS/097/27nm Western Entry Point: DCS/270/13nm

Levels: FL190 (Both Directions) Entry Requirements: Call controlling authority with as much notice as possible


Flowed Gaps To ease congestion of traffic and traffic separation, a series of flowed “gaps” and valleys are used. These are indicated below and should be adhered to at all times.

LFA 2:

Weston Zoyland Gaps

The gap between Bridgwater and Weston Zoyland microlight site is to be flown in a South-westerly Direction

The gap between Weston Zoyland microlight site and Langport is to be flown in a North Easterly Direction.


LFA 5:

Marham Gaps The gap between Kings Lynn and Marham MATZ is to be flown in a North easterly direction The gap between Marham MATZ and D208 boundary is to be flown in a South westerly direction


LFA 6:

The Wash / Fenland Gap Flights in the gap between The Wash and Fenland are to be flown in a South westerly direction.

LFA 7:

The Nant Ffrancon Pass (A5 Pass)

This pass starts at N53 05·87 W003 52·03 and finishes at N53 08·67 W004 02·29 and is to be flown in

a South westerly to North easterly direction only. SAR helicopters are likely to fly this route on operations and a

good lookout is to be kept at all times.

The Caernarfon – Beddgelert (A4085) Pass

This pass starts at N53 05·60 W004 11·10 and finishes at N52 57·07 W004 05·49 and is to be flown in a North Westerly to South Easterly direction only.

The Llanberis (A4086) Pass This pass is not to be flown by Fixed Wing aircraft.


Deconfliction Measures:

The Machynlleth Loop

The valleys known as the Machynlleth Loop which are bounded by co-ordinates: N52 36·00 W003

51·00 - N52 42·00 W003 41·00 - N52 44·00 W003 49·00 - N52 41·00 W003 53·00 - N52 36·00 W003 51·00 are

to be flown in an anti-clockwise direction only. This restriction applies only to ac flying in the valleys.

Valley Recoveries

Aircraft recovering to Valley via the Nant Ffrancon (A5) Pass will climb to 2500-ft AGL at the end of

the pass (N53 08·67 W004 02·29) and fly direct to Beaumaris. Crews should call Valley Approach when

abeam Bethesda.

Glamorgan Weather Corridor

In order to allow aircraft a Southern exit to LFA 7 in the event of low cloudbase, a weather corridor

is established. This corridor is to be flown Southbound only and all efforts should be made to communicate

with Cardiff Radar as soon as possible before entering the corridor.


LFA 12:

Leeming – Teesside Gap

The area bounded by co-ordinates N54 31·00 W001 34·13 - N54 25·85 W001 41·87 - N54 20·88 W001

38·31 thence clockwise around the Leeming MATZ boundary to - N54 21·00 W001 26·00 - N54 26·00 W001

22·00 clockwise around the Tees-side avoidance, circle radius 5nm centred on N54 30·58 W001 25·08 to origin

are to be flown Southeasterly only and not above 1000 feet AGL.


Newcastle CTZ / LFA 13 Gap

Northbound traffic is to route through this gap to the West of Hexham. Southbound traffic is to

route through this gap to the East of Hexham. All crews are to co-ordinate with controlling authority for

Newcastle where possible.

vRAF Quick Reference Handbook – v1.4 – © vRAF 2015 LFA 14:

Glen Tilt (Star Wars Valley)

Glen Tilt between N56 48·49 W003 50·07 and N56 53·10 W003 40·45 is to be flown in a southwesterly direction

LFA 16:

Selkirk – Moffat Valley

In order to deconflict opposing traffic in the steep-sided valley along the A708 road between Selkirk

and Moffat, a mandatory flow control system is established in a Southwesterly direction. A/C are to enter the

flowed valley at the initial co-ordinate but may exit at any point

vRAF Quick Reference Handbook – v1.4 – © vRAF 2015 LFA 17:

Lake District

The central valley of the Lake District is to be flown in a Northerly direction. This valley is defined as

starting at Grassmere, along the valley defined by Thirlmere – A591 – Bassenthwaite Lake – Ouse Bridge.

Crews MUST avoid Keswick.

Ullswater

From N54 30·52 W002 55·14 north to Ullswater N54 33·75 W002 56·14 along lake to N54 34·86 W002 51·53 is to be flown in a Northerly / North easterly direction only.

M6 Pass

From N54 22·34 W002 34·92 north along M6 to Junction N54 26·22 W002 35·71 is to be flown Northerly only.


Air To Air Refueling

Receiver Positions

Air to Air Refuelling Areas

AARA ARIP ARCP Levels Perm?

1 58 00 00N 04 35 00W 56 30 00N 004 35 00W F120/F280 N

2 58 20 00N 001 00 00E 59 17 00N 000 05 00E F100/F290(F350) Y

3 56 32 00N 002 32 00E 57 50 00N 001 26 00E F100/F290(F350) Y

4 57 43 00N 001 12 00W 57 58 00N 000 04 00W F070/F240 Y

5 55 47 00N 000 03 00E 55 46 00N 001 21 00E F070/F240 Y

6 54 32 00N 000 25 00W 54 58 00N 000 22 00E F100/F290(F350) Y

7 55 08 00N 001 19 00E 54 49 00N 002 31 00E F100/F290 Y

8 53 18 00N 000 56 00E 53 13 00N 002 08 00E F070/F170 Y

9 NOT FOR VRAF USE

10W 50 38 00N 004 25 00W 49 57 00N 006 40 00W F080/F260 N

10E 51 09 00N 002 34 00W 50 52 00N 003 40 00W F080/F260 N

11 50 17 00N 005 55 00W 50 01 00N 007 36 00W F080/F260 N

12 51 00 00N 005 09 00W 50 28 00N 007 38 00W F070/F280 N

13 54 04 00N 003 48 00W 54 34 00N 004 05 00W F150/F240 N

14 56 00 00N 007 20 00W 57 10 00N 006 40 00W F180/F240 N


AAR Procedures

Rendezvous When ready to commence AAR operations, a receiving aircraft will contact the tanker and provide the initial contact. At this point, the tanker will conduct the RV Initial Call.

Tartan21, Razor99 requesting fuelling.

Razor99, Tastan21 for RV (type). My FL/Altitude, when cleared, your FL/altitude, (altimeter setting if not 1013)

Tartan21, Razor99, RV (type) when cleared, my FL/altitude, (Amount of fuel required if not pre-briefed)

If the receiver is Air Intercept radar capable and is undertaking an RV CHARLIE, they will next call that they have radar contact.

Razor 99, Judy.

When the receiving aircraft visually acquires the tanker, they will report this and will be advised whether they are permitted to join or not, at the completion of the RV procedure.

Razor99 visual.

Razor99, Clear join.

Copy clear join, Razor 99

Upon clearance to join, the receiver(s) must climb to the tanker altitude and take up station in the observation

position. If there is more than one aircraft in the formation, they will take echelon left formation on the leader.


Refuelling

Once the receiver(s) are stable in the observation position, the tanker will then clear the receivers to the pre-contact position of the appropriate drogue.

Razor99, clear astern right.

Clear astern right, Razor99.

(When stable in pre-contact) Astern right, Razor99.

Razor99, clear contact right.

Clear contact on the right, Razor99.

(When contact has been made) Contact right, Razor99

Razor99, copy contact, Passing Fuel

Good flow, Razor99

Fuel will continue to pass with no further transmissions until there is 30 seconds remaining in the transfer. At

which point, the tanker will advise this to the receiver. Then the tanker will disconnect and send the aircraft

to the reform position. From here, the aircraft will be cleared to depart.

Razor99, 30 seconds.

Razor99, disconnect.

Disconnect, Razor99.

Razor99, astern right.

Razor99, go reform.

Reform, Razor99.

Razor99, Cleared to leave


Abnormal Procedures

No visual with Tanker The receiver must be visual with the tanker before the operation commences. If the receiver is not visual but

has a firm radar lock, then closure to 500 feet below, and half a mile astern is permitted. Further closure is not

allowed until visual contact has been made. Either the formation must enter an area of improved visibility, or

the RV must be terminated.

Overrun If the receiver enters an overrun state (closing at too high a speed) the receiver will call “Tartan21, Execute

Overrun”. The receiver will decelerate and ensure minimum vertical separation of 1000 feet below the tanker.

The tanker will accelerate and maintain altitude and heading. Once the receiver has determined the overrun

condition has been resolved, he will call “Tartan21, Terminate Overrun”. The tanker will decelerate to AAR speed

and the RV process will begin again.

Emergency Disconnect If either the receiver or tanker pilot perceives an emergency situation developing, he will call “Breakaway,

Breakaway, Breakaway”. The receiver will immediately disconnect and drop back and move outboard of the

wing he is behind, i.e. if on the right-hand side, move outboard of the tanker’s right wing; if on the left-hand

side, move left. If there are aircraft already present in the observation and/or reform areas, the receivers will

move outboard of those. The tanker will continue on the AAR heading and speed, at the present altitude. Once

the situation is resolved, the tanker pilot will call “Tartan21, Terminate Emergency Separation”. The receiver will

acknowledge and await further instructions from the tanker pilot to resume the transfer.


METAR Colour Codes


TACAN Route System

The UK TACAN routing system is a military upper airway system routing between TACAN beacons and associated waypoints

Please see below a chart and list of details for the UK TACAN Route Structure. IDENTIFICATION / SIGNIFICANT MINIMUM IFR CRUISING REMARKS

POINTS LEVEL

ODD EVEN

TACAN RED ONE (TR1)

London UIR

LND 50 08 11N 005 38 13W

FL250

VLN 51 00 18N 002 38 19W At VLN : Access to route TB1

BZN 51 44 53N 001 36 13W At BZN: Access to route TB2

WD3 52 28 19N 000 07 04E At MAM: Access to routes TR3,

TB6 and TB7

MAM 52 38 50N 000 33 11E

EA1 52 44 43N 001 20 56E

NAVPI 52 32 50N 002 50 26E

London UIR / Amsterdam FIR

FL260

TACAN RED THREE (TR3) FL250

London UIR

VYL

53 15 27N 004 32 39W

MAM 52 38 50N 000 33 11E FL260


IDENTIFICATION / SIGNIFICANT MINIMUM IFR CRUISING REMARKS POINTS LEVEL

ODD EVEN

TACAN BLUE ONE (TB1) FL250 At KSS: Access to route TB2 Scottish UIR

KSS

57 39 34N 003 32 07W

QQ1 At VYL: Access to route TR3 and 55 26 00N 005 42 30W TB2

VYL 53 15 27N 004 32 39W

WD1 52 00 00N 002 38 19W At VLN: Access to route TB1

VLN 51 00 18N 002 38 19W FL260

TACAN BLUE TWO (TB2) FL250 At KSS: Access to route TB5 Scottish UIR

KSS

57 39 34N 003 32 07W At LUK: Access to route TB7

LUK 56 22 22N 002 51 49W At VYL: Access to route TR3 and

TB1 VYL

53 15 27N 004 32 39W

WD2 52 23 00N 002 28 00W

At BZN: Access to route TR1 BZN

51 44 53N 001 36 13W

SAM 50 57 19N 001 20 42W

CNO 50 02 00N 001 28 00W FL260



ODD EVEN

TACAN BLUE THREE (TACB3) FL250

London UIR At DVR: Access to route TB7 DVR

51 09 45N 001 21 33E

CMB 50 13 42N 003 09 06E

France UIR FL260

TACAN BLUE SIX (TB6) FL250

London UIR/France UIR

SPT

50 02 00N 000 12 00W

MAY 51 01 02N 000 06 58E

WD6 At MAM: Access to routes TR1 51 30 00N 000 13 00E and TB7

MAM 52 38 50N 000 33 11E

EA1 52 44 43N 001 20 56E

NAVPI 52 32 50N 002 50 26E

London UIR / Amsterdam FIR FL260



ODD EVEN

TACAN BLUE SEVEN (TB7) FL250

Scottish UIR

QN9 At LUK: Access to route TB2 58 18 00N 005 10 00W

LUK 56 22 22N 002 51 49W

At MAM: Access to routes TR1, LEE TR3 and TR6

54 17 48N 001 32 12W

MAM 52 38 50N 000 33 11E

At WD7: Access to route TL4 WTZ

52 07 19N 000 56 25E

At DVR: Access to route TACB3 WD7

51 40 00N 001 22 00E

DVR 51 09 45N 001 21 33E

EPT 50 27 00N 000 55 00E

London UIR / France UIR FL260

TACAN LINK FOUR (TL4) FL250 At WD7: Access to route TB7 London UIR

WD7

51 40 00N 001 22 00E

NPT 51 29 42N 002 00 00E

London UIR / Brussels UIR

KOK

51 05 34N 002 39 10E FL260


Code Designators for significant points DESIGNATOR POSITION PURPOSE

AHERN 58 30 00N 003 30 00W MDA NORTH AREA C

CNO 50 02 00N 001 28 00W CHERBOURG NORTH TB2

EASON 58 40 00N 004 50 00W MDA NORTH AREA B

ELKSY 55 00 00N 000 00 00E MDA NORTH AREA A

FOSTR 56 25 00N 000 30 00E MDA NORTH AREA C

LACKY 54 00 00N 002 00 00E MDA SOUTH AREA C

LKATA 52 40N 002 30E LAKENHEATH ATA

LOWMN 58 30 00N 005 40 00W MDA NORTH AREA A

MOSSY 54 30 00N 000 30 00W MDA SOUTH AREA C

NPT 51 29 42N 002 00 00E TL4

QN9 58 18 00N 005 10 00W TB7 NORTH TERMINAL POINT

QQ1 55 26 00N 005 42 30W TACAN POINT

RILEY 54 10 00N 000 10 00E MDA SOUTH AREA E

STEVN 58 08 00N 002 40 00W MDA NORTH AREA D

WD1 52 00 00N 003 55 00W TACAN POINT

WD2 52 23 00N 002 28 00W TACAN POINT

WD3 52 28 19N 000 07 04E NE END WESTCOTT CORRIDOR & TRI FIX

WD6 51 31 00N 000 13 00E TACAN POINT

WD8 54 16 00N 004 37 00W TACAN POINT

WHITY 54 30 00N 001 00 00E MDA SOUTH AREA B

WYMER 57 20 00N 000 30 00E MDA CENTRAL AREA A

Documents

vRAF Quick Reference Handbook v1.4 - VAPTAMS V2 | …vaptams.vraf.net/uploads/docs/Guides/vRAF_QRHv1.4.pdf · All QRA Fighter aircraft must use this squawk when engaged in QRA Operations