Aerodrome Procedures

Air Controller

AIR is responsible for all movements on all runways. AIR operates on frequency 124.225.

Ground Movement Controller

GMC is responsible for all ground movements on taxiways. GMC operates on frequency 121.800.

Ground Movement Planner

GMP is responsible for passing IFR departure clearances to aircraft. GMP operates on frequency 121.950. GMP must not clear aircraft for start/push. Once the aircraft has a clearance, they should be instructed to contact the appropriate GMC for start/push.

Northern Runway (08L/26R) Operations

08L/26R must never be used as a runway at the same time as 08R/26L. The northern runway will only be used when the main runway is non-operational by reason of an accident/incident, or a structural defect or when planned maintenance is being carried out.

08L/26R does not have the status of an instrument runway. The only approaches available are visual or SRA terminating at 2nm from touchdown.

When 26R is in use, a restriction is placed upon the size of aircraft that are permitted to taxi to the terminal area using the parallel taxiway (taxiway Juliet) whilst subsequent aircraft are landing. If the taxing aircraft has a wing span in excess of 30 metres, no subsequent aircraft can land on 26R until juliet has been vacated. Because of this restriction, a gap of 12nm is required behind aircraft that have a wingspan in excess of 30 metres.

Aerodrome Traffic Monitor (ATM)

Gatwick is fitted with an ATM and this can be simulated on IVAO. It has a range of about 15nm and displays SSR labels with mode C read out. The ATM may be used to:

  • Determine the landing order, spacing and distance from touchdown information of arriving aircraft
  • Identify departing aircraft and validate the SSR codes.
  • Monitor the progress of over flying aircraft
  • Establishing separation between departing aircraft
  • Pass traffic information
  • Establish separation in the event of a missed approach
  • assist in taking corrective action when separation between arriving aircraft becomes less than the prescribed minima.

Wind Shear

When a pilot reports wind shear, this must be passed to inbound and outbound aircraft until the report appears on the ATIS. Reports should contain the following information:

  • Warning of the presence of wind shear
  • Height or height band and time the wind shear was encountered
  • Details of the effect on the aircraft

Braking Action

If there is a cause to believe that braking action is less than good, this must be confirmed and information should be passed to departing and arriving aircraft.


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