Bristol |
All arrival routes into Bristol terminate at the stack, BRI. Aircraft should not proceed beyond the stack without ATC clearance.
The table below indicates the holding areas available to Bristol:
| Stack | Axis and Direction of Turn | Minimum Holding Level | Maximum Holding Level | Holding Speed Limit |
| BRI | 094 Left Hand | 2500ft | FL100 | 220kts |
Aircraft must cross Speed Limit Points at a maximum speed of 250kts unless the speed restriction has been removed by ATC.
When stacks become full, enroute holding further down the STAR takes place.
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 220kts. 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.
BRI
The minimum level that may be used in the BRI hold is 2500ft.
In reality, every aircraft inbound to Bristol has to be released by area control to approach control. 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 S35 and RAD:
"Bristol Radar"
"Sector 35, release, BAW123 POMAX at 12"
"BAW123, POMAX at 12"
"Correct"
"Roger"
Bristol Radar is 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.