Luton |
All arrival routes into Stansted and Luton terminate at one of the 2 stacks; ABBOT and LOREL. Aircraft should not proceed beyond the stack without ATC clearance.
STARS via ASKEY and CASEY are not used as they are only for use when the main VOR's are out of service (which never happens in our virtual world).
There is one STAR which is designated as a "stack swap" STAR. During busy periods, when stacks become full, aircraft can be transferred from one stack to the other:
LOREL |
-----------> |
ABBOT |
= |
ABBOT 1A |
This STAR is for use only as directed by ATC and must not be used for flight planning purposes.
The table below indicates the holding areas available to Stansted and Luton:
| Stack | Axis and Direction of Turn | Minimum Holding Level | Maximum Holding Level | Holding Speed Limit |
| ABBOT | 267 Right Hand | FL70 | FL140 | 220kts |
| LOREL | 189 Left Hand | FL80 | FL140 | 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 - "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 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.
ABBOT
The minimum level that may be used in the ABBOT hold is MSL + 1.
LOREL
The minimum level that may be used in the LOREL hold is MSL + 1.
In reality, every aircraft inbound to Stansted/Luton 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 LAM and ESSEX:
"Essex"
"Lambourne, release, BAW123 ABBOT at 9"
"BAW123, 9"
"AIC101 ABBOT at 10"
"AIC101, 10"
"DLH634 ABBOT at 11"
"DLH634, 11"
"BAW1145 ABBOT at 12"
"BAW1145, 12"
"Correct"
"Roger"
Stansted directors 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.