Cross the Pond | Westbound 2015
Briefing for London Heathrow Airport
Thank you for choosing London Heathrow as your departure airport for Cross The Pond
Westbound 2015. VATSIM UK is looking forward to providing you with an efficient and
realistic service as you depart Heathrow for the hop over the Atlantic Ocean.
1. Recommended Scenery
Payware - UK2000 Heathrow Xtreme - Latest Version v3.
Payware - Aerosoft Mega Airport London Heathrow Xtended
Freeware - UK2000 Heathrow Free - Provides reduced detail than the payware version
but is highly recommended.
2. Planned ATC Positions
EGLL_ATIS 128.075 Heathrow Information
EGLL_DEL 121.975 - Heathrow Delivery
EGLL_P_GND 124.475 - Heathrow Planning
EGLL_1_GND 121.900 - Heathrow Ground
EGLL_2_GND 121.700 - Heathrow Ground
EGLL_3_GND 121.850 - Heathrow Ground
EGLL_S_TWR 118.500 - Heathrow Tower
EGLL_N_TWR 118.700 - Heathrow Tower
EGLL_N_APP 119.725 - Heathrow Director
EGLL_S_APP 134.975 - Heathrow Director
EGLL_F_APP 121.400 - Heathrow Director
3. Parking Arrangements
Flights that depart from Heathrow on transatlantic routes are predominantly done by a
select number of airlines:
British Airways - Operating exclusively from Terminal 5 - larger aircraft (B747, B77W
and B77L are recommended to use stands on Delta and Charlie)
(Chart for Terminal 5 Stands)
American Airlines - Any Stand Terminal 3
Delta - Any Stand Terminal 3
Air Canada - Any Stand Terminal 3
United Airlines - Terminal 3 & Terminal 1
(Charts for Terminal 3 & Terminal 1)
Cargo - Anyone who is using cargo aircraft are invited to use the Cargo Terminal which
is located on the south-west side of the airfield.
(Chart for Terminal 4 & Cargo Terminal)
Others - All other departures should make use of any remaining Stands at Heathrow
which includes Terminal 1 & 2 and Terminal 4 on the south side.
ALL charts for London Heathrow can be found HERE
4. Before Pushback
Flights shall connect to the network at least 30 minutes prior to their Scheduled Time of
Departure (STD).
Clearance is to be requested from EGLL_DEL (121.975) maximum 45 minutes prior to
Estimated Off Block Time (EOBT).
Expect either a COMPTON (CPT), WOBUN, BUZAD or SOUTHAMPTON (SAM)
departure. CPT departures on easterly operations (09R) will be given the following
clearance instead of the SID:
“After departure runway 09R climb straight ahead to LON 2DME, then turn right heading
220 degrees, climb to altitude 6,000ft”
Initial climb for ALL departures is 6000ft. Do not climb higher unless instructed to
do so!
After correct readback of clearance flights will be transferred to Heathrow Planning
(EGLL_P_GND 124.275). This controller is responsible for planning assigned slot
(CTOT) times and the traffic situation around the airport. Flights can expect to be
waiting on stand during busy traffic periods rather than queuing at the runways.
When it is your turn to pushback you will be transferred to the relevant ground (GND)
controller to request it.
5. Pushback and Taxi
At peak times Heathrow Ground may have up to three controllers online. The diagram
below shows the Area of Responsibility for each ground controller.
GMC1 - EGLL_1_GND 121.900 (Covers Terminal 1&2)
GMC2 - EGLL_2_GND 121.700 (Covers Terminal 3, Terminal 4 & Cargo Terminal)
GMC3 - EGLL_3_GND 121.850 (Covering Terminal 5 Only)
In the absence of GMC1 (EGLL_1_GND), this area is covered by GMC3
(EGLL_3_GND).
You must request permission to pushback. Do not taxi forward again past your stand
until you have taxi clearance.
Flights crossing the boundary between one Ground Controller and another will be given
a clearance limit to taxi to (e.g. “hold short of E”). HOLD POSITION there until you are
given further instructions by the next controller.
Taxi routings will be given to a named holding point (e.g. HORKA or TITAN) for the
departure runway, which are shown in red on the aerodrome chart. All charts can be
found HERE.
If you are unsure of any instructions please ask the Ground Controller!
6. Takeoff And Handoff Procedure
Once at the named holding point you will be handed off to the Tower controller who will
be responsible for sequencing departures to ensure that delay is kept to a minimum.
This may mean flights depart out of turn - pilots are requested to be patient if this
occurs.
If a lineup clearance is given by the controller ensure you are doing so via the holding
point requested - as there may be other traffic lining up or departing via other holding
points on the runway.
When airborne do not climb above altitude 6000ft until you are cleared higher.
Flights are to remain on the TWR frequency until handed off to the CTR controller. This
is to ensure separation between successive departures which may be less than 1
minute apart. In most cases the next controller will be “London Control” (LON_x_CTR or
LTC_x_CTR).
Transition Altitude is 6000ft. Remember to set your altimeter to 1013hPa (or 29.92inHg)
when cleared above this level.
7. Further Information
All charts and information for Heathrow can be found on the UK NATS site - HERE,
Other information and procedures for Heathrow can also be found on the VATSIM-UK
Website and VATSIM-UK Heathrow Forum
Once again on behalf of the VATSIM UK Division and Heathrow Regional Training
Scheme we thank you for choosing Heathrow as your departure airport and we hope
you enjoy your transatlantic crossing and departure from London Heathrow.