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All aircraft inbound to Coventry from airways will be routed on the Birmingham arrival routes, terminating at one of the 2 Birmingham stacks; CHASE and GROVE. Aircraft will then be positioned by Birmingham Radar for Coventry.
STARS via OLIVE are not used as they are only for use when the HON VOR is out of service (which never happens in our virtual world).
Holding Procedures
The table below indicates the holding areas available to Coventry:
| Stack | Axis and Direction of Turn | Minimum Holding Level | Maximum Holding Level | Holding Speed Limit |
| CHASE | 152 Right Hand | FL50 | FL140 | 210kts |
| GROVE | 106 Right Hand | FL70 | FL140 | 210kts |
| CT | 230 Left Hand | 2000ft | 4000ft | 170kts |
Aircraft must cross SLPs (Speed Limitation Points) at 250kts or less, unless ATC has removed any speed restrictions.
When stacks become full, enroute holding further down the STAR takes place - "Stack swap" procedures could also be put in force.
It is important that you keep the stacks laddered down so that levels can be freed up. In the stack, you can only clear an aircraft down to the next level when the previous aircraft has vacated the previously occupied level. There are two ways of doing this. 1) Ask the pilot to report leaving the level 2) When the mode C readout shows +/- 400ft from the assigned level, we can assume the aircraft has left the level. During busy periods, option 2) is the better one to reduce RT transmissions.
Ultimately, it is the pilots responsibility to ensure that he enters the stack at the holding speed. To help him out, as he approaches the stack, if you want him to enter the hold bring his speed back early (By doing this, as he reaches the stack you may then realise he doesn't need to hold because the reduction in speed has created enough of a delay)
Aircraft should be informed of the length of delay expected in the hold. The usual phrases used are "Less than 5 minutes", "5 to 10 minutes", "10 to 15 minutes" and "15 to 20 minutes". If the delay is going to be over 20 minutes, Expected Approach Times must be passed to aircraft. It is important that an accurate delay is passed to aircraft.
Level Allocation
CT
The minimum level that may be used in the CT hold is 2000ft. Holding must not take place above 4000ft to ensure aircraft remain outside controlled airspace.
Inbound Releases
In reality, every aircraft inbound to Coventry has to be released by area Birmingham Radar. This is done over the telephone. This can be simulated on IVAO with the Intercom or via text chat.
A release message contains:
Example of a release phone call between BB INT and BE RAD:
"Coventry"
"Birmingham, release, BAW123"
"BAW123, FL50 to CT, frequency 119.250"
"BAW123, FL50 to CT, frequency 119.250"
Verification of MET and Aircraft type
Coventry Radar are to verify that aircraft are in receipt of the latest MET report and are to verify the aircraft type, including type variants. The tower must be informed of any aircraft that are not the type as indicated on the flightplan.