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Heathrow

General Policy Area of Responsibility Operation Information Outbound Procedures Inbound Procedures Intermediate Approach Final Approach Aerodrome Control Low Vis Procedures Northolt and Denham Quickview Back

Heathrow Approach is responsible for the intermediate approach function of Northolt and Denham airways inbounds. Aircraft inbound to Northolt and Denham via airways will be routed via the appropriate Heathrow holding stack as if they were inbound to Heathrow.

Denham

Aircraft inbound to Denham via airways are treated as if they were inbound to Northolt. Northolt will then clear aircraft to route to Denham.

Northolt

The RMA comprises of the northern portion of the London Control zone with boundaries defined as:
A line drawn from the Northolt ARP on a bearing of 283T to the intersection with the London CTR boundary, along the northern boundary of the London CTR to the intersection with a line drawn from the Northolt ARP on a bearing of 084T to the London CTR boundary.

The vertical limit of this area is from the surface to 2000ft.

Radar Separation

Radar separation of 3nm may be used between aircraft working Heathrow ATC and aircraft working Northolt ATC.

Northolt Runway Usage

The Northolt runway in use is dependant on the Heathrow runway in use. When Heathrow is on westerly operations, Northolt must use runway 25. When Heathrow is on easterly operations, Northolt must use runway 07. When runway 25 is in use, aircraft must be informed they are being vectored for an ILS approach to runway 25. When runway 07 is in use, aircraft must be informed that they are being vectored for a GCA approach to runway 07, due to the close proximity of the 09L/R extended centrelines. (A GCA approach is a type of Military PAR. This cannot be simulated in our virtual world, so aircraft can expect a visual approach to runway 07.)

Inbound Procedures

Westerly Operations

LAM:

If able, the TMA will descend Northolt inbounds early so that they are at the bottom of the stack, or at an altitude of 5000ft. It is the TMA's responsibility to ensure that the Northolt inbound is clean against any departures. The aircraft should be positioned for a straight in approach to runway 25 and should be descended to 4000ft (QNH) at a speed of 210kts or less, before being handed over to Northolt Radar.

BNN:

If able, the TMA will descend Northolt inbounds early so that they are at the bottom of the stack, or at an altitude of 5000ft. It is the TMA's responsibility to ensure that the Northolt inbound is clean against any departures. The aircraft should be positioned for a right hand downwind to runway 25 and should be descended to 4000ft (QNH) at a speed of 210kt or less, before being handed over to Northolt Radar.

BIG:

If able, the TMA will descend Northolt inbounds early so that they are at the bottom of the stack. The aircraft should leave the stack and cross over the 27R/L centreline at 5nm, descending to 5000ft (QNH). Once clear of the ILS, the aircraft should be descended to 4000ft (QNH) at a speed of 210kts or less and handed over to Northolt Radar. Northolt will position the aircraft for a right hand downwind to runway 25.

OCK:

If able, the TMA will descend Northolt inbounds early so that they are at the bottom of the stack. The aircraft should leave the stack and cross over the 27R/L centreline at 5nm, descending to 5000ft (QNH). Once clear of the ILS, the aircraft should be descended to 4000ft (QNH) at a speed of 210kts or less and handed over to Northolt Radar. Northolt will position the aircraft for a right hand downwind to runway 25.

Easterly Operations

LAM:

If able, the TMA will descend Northolt inbounds early so that they are at the bottom of the stack, or at an altitude of 5000ft. It is the TMA's responsibility to ensure that the Northolt inbound is clean against any departures. The aircraft should be positioned for a left hand downwind to runway 07 and should be descended to 3000ft (QNH) at a speed of 210kts or less, before being handed over to Northolt Radar.

BNN:

If able, the TMA will descend Northolt inbounds early so that they are at the bottom of the stack, or at an altitude of 5000ft. It is the TMA's responsibility to ensure that the Northolt inbound is clean against any departures. The aircraft should be positioned for a left hand downwind to runway 07 and should be descended to 3000ft (QNH) at a speed of 210kt or less, before being handed over to Northolt Radar.

BIG:

If able, the TMA will descend Northolt inbounds early so that they are at the bottom of the stack. The aircraft should leave the stack and cross over the 09L/R threshold, descending to 5000ft (QNH). Once clear of the ILS, the aircraft should be descended to 3000ft (QNH) at a speed of 210kts or less and handed over to Northolt Radar. Northolt will position the aircraft for a left hand downwind to runway 07.

OCK:

If able, the TMA will descend Northolt inbounds early so that they are at the bottom of the stack. The aircraft should leave the stack and cross over the 09L/R threshold, descending to 5000ft (QNH). Once clear of the ILS, the aircraft should be descended to 3000ft (QNH) at a speed of 210kts or less and handed over to Northolt Radar. Northolt will position the aircraft for a left hand downwind to runway 07.

Outbound Procedures

Departures will climb initially to 3000ft and be handed off to the relevant area sector once airborne following the SID. Once clear of the Heathrow RMA, the relevant area sector will climb the departures further.