Edinburgh |
All arrival routes into Edinburgh terminate at one of the 2 stacks; TWEED and STIRA. Aircraft should not proceed beyond the stack without ATC clearance.
Holding Procedures
The table below indicates the holding areas available to Edinburgh:
| Stack | Axis and Direction of Turn | Minimum Holding Level | Maximum Holding Level | Holding Speed Limit |
| STIRA | 236 Right Hand | MSL | FL140 | 220kts |
| TWEED | 198 Left Hand | MSL | FL140 | 220kts |
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 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.
Level Allocation
STIRA
The minimum level that may be used in the STIRA hold is MSL. Generally, holding does not take place below MSL +1.
TWEED
The minimum level that may be used in the TWEED hold is MSL. Generally, holding does not take place below MSL +1.
Inbound Releases
In reality, every aircraft inbound to Edinburgh 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 TLA and PH RAD:
"Edinburgh"
"TLA, TWEED release, BAW123 at 9"
"BAW123, 9"
"AIC101 at 10"
"AIC101, 10"
"DLH634 at 11"
"DLH634, 11"
"BAW1145 at 12"
"BAW1145, 12"
"Correct"
"Roger"
Verification of MET and Aircraft type
Edinburgh 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.