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Radar Manoeuvring Area

The Radar Manoeuvring Area (RMA) is the airspace in which Aldergrove Directors can safely vector aircraft. The RMA is contained within the lateral limits of the Belfast CTR, CTA and TMA. (IMAGE TO BE ADDED SOON)

It is important that when vectoring aircraft inbound, you remain within the confined RMA airspace. If for whatever reason you need to vector an aircraft outside the RMA, you must coordinate with the appropriate area sector.

INT Procedures

During normal operations, INT will pass instructions to inbound traffic routeing towards the main stack until handover to Final Director. All inbounds will be offered by Scottish descending to FL100 and above towards BEL.

Traffic should normally be offered to FIN descending to altitude 4000ft (QNH) at 220kts. If any non standard altitudes or speeds are used, FIN should be informed when the aircraft is transferred. On transfer of control to FIN, controllers should use the phrase "Contact Aldergrove Director with callsign only, 120.900"

Belfast City

All arrivals to Belfast City will be routed towards BEL like Aldergrove inbounds. They should be vectored towards the airfield at an agreed level with City. Once clean against Aldergrove traffic, inbounds should be handed to Belfast Radar.

Speed Control

Speeds to be flown during approach are specified by the controller and will depend on the traffic situation at that time. On occasions, a pilot may request to maintain a higher than normal speed. If traffic situation allows this, the aircraft can be told that there is "no ATC speed restriction".

There are standard speeds which should be employed during approach:

• During Intermediate approach, leaving the stack to the point at which a base leg is flown, 220kts should be used.
• On a base leg and closing heading, 180kts should be used. (If spacing is becoming tight, aircraft can be slowed to 160kts when on a closing heading for the ILS)
• On final, no later than 7nm from touchdown, 160kts until 4DME. Speed control cannot be applied beyond 4DME.

Missed Approach procedures

The missed approach procedures are as follows:

• INT will be made aware of the missed approach by the tower.
• The tower controller will hold further departures and issue any tactical headings to aircraft already departing to ensure they are separated from the missed approach aircraft.
• INT should issue a heading and/or frequency for the aircraft to contact
• INT should inform the relevant tower controller when outbound traffic can be resumed again

In the event of an associated radio failure with a missed approach, the aircraft should follow the procedures detailed in the UK AIP.

Terrain Clearance

Terrain clearance is the responsibility of the pilot whether or not specific heading instructions have been issued by ATC.

The lowest level to the East of the airfield that can be assigned to flights is 2800ft. The lowest level to the West of the airfield that can be assigned to flights is 2000ft. Aircraft can be descended to 1700ft when in the strict final approach areas as details on the SMAC chart.