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Cross the Pond 2015 Westbound
Pilot Briefing
General Edward Lawrence Logan International (KBOS)
March 28, 2015 1100Z
INTRODUCTION
On behalf of the controllers and staff of the virtual Boston ARTCC, we would like to thank you for choosing
Boston as your arrival airport for this year’s Cross the Pond event!
AIRPORT INFORMATION AND CHARTS
http://airnav.com/airport/KBOS
TERMINAL LAYOUT
International flights operated by US carriers tend to arrive and park at their own designated gates, rather than
Terminal E.
Though we are presenting the normal terminal airline usage, it would be tremendously impractical to attempt to
position 18x the “normal” international air carrier arrival load all at Terminal E (the International terminal). As
such, pilots are encouraged to use any available gate at any available terminal.
KBOS Terminal Layout
http://www.bostonartcc.net
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VATSIM Boston ARTCC (ZBW)
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Terminal A normally serves Alaska, and Delta (domestic flights).
Terminal B of normally serves Air Canada, American (except international arrivals), American Eagle, Charters, Midwest, Spirit, US
Airways (except international arrivals), US Airways Express, US Airways Shuttle to LaGuardia and D.C., Virgin America, United, and
United Express.
Terminal C normally serves AirTran, Cape Air, Charters, JetBlue, and Sun Country.
Terminal E normally serves Air Lingus, Alitalia, Air France, American (international arrivals only), British Airways, Charter, Delta
(international arrivals only), Iberia, Icelandair, Lufthansa, Porter, SATA Azores Express, Southwest, Swiss, and TACV airlines.
http://www.bostonartcc.net
Copyright ©2015
VATSIM Boston ARTCC (ZBW)
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TAXIWAY LAYOUT
Over the past few years (and definitely since FS9 and FSX came out), there have been several
changes/updates to the taxiway layout at KBOS. Affected and new taxiways include: Alpha, Alpha-1, Alpha-2,
Bravo, Delta, Echo, Echo-1, Echo-2, Golf, Kilo, & Mike. We realize that use of the current layout will differ from
default scenery found in FS2004, FSX and XPlane. However, it has been over 2.5 years since many of the
configuration changes took effect, and a majority of pilots are now using add-on scenery and/or current charts,
so it causes more confusion to provide guidance using the old, default configuration.
Therefore, ground control service consistent with the new/current/real taxiway system will be provided unless
the pilot specifically advises the controller that he/she has a preference for the old taxiway system
Old Diagram
http://www.bostonartcc.net
New Diagram
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VATSIM Boston ARTCC (ZBW)
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SCENERY
As of now, we are aware that the following software vendors have current and accurate payware KBOS
scenery available (for both FS9 and FSX):
• FlyTampa KBOS v3.2
www.flytampa.org
• Blueprint Simulations KBOS v1.3.x
www.blueprintsimulations.com/BluePrint_KBOS.html
There are a few freeware versions available by searching the internet, with varying quality. If you know of any
that you feel are very good quality, please email that information to atm -at- bostonartcc.net. If possible, also
include a screenshot of overhead the airport, so we may evaluate taxiway layout accuracy (any other
screenshots welcome also).
KBOS PLANNED ATC POSITIONS/FREQUENCIES
POSITION
ATIS
Boston Clearance Delivery
Boston Ground
Boston Tower
Boston Departure
Boston Approach
Boston Center
FREQUENCY
135.00
121.65
121.90
128.80
133.00
Various
Various
IDENTIFIER
KBOS_ATIS
BOS_DEL
BOS_GND
BOS_TWR
BOS_DEP
BOS_X_APP
BOS_XX_CTR
Note: X denotes additional position identifiers that may be in use
FLIGHT PLANS
All event participants are expected to file the route that you were assigned by the event organizers. COMMUNICATIONS
Due to the heavy traffic load, please limit your communications to only those transmissions required to check in
on frequency, read-back clearances or acknowledge instructions. Be brief - say what you need to say to be
understood, but say it in the least number of words possible. Superfluous transmissions should be
avoided. Following these guidelines will help ensure that our controllers can provide every pilot professional
service out of Boston Logan Airport.
http://www.bostonartcc.net
Copyright ©2015
VATSIM Boston ARTCC (ZBW)
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ARRIVAL PROCEDURE
RNAV Arrival Procedures are now the standard arrival procedures in use at Boston Logan International Airport
(KBOS). However, those with default flight simulator databases that have not had AIRAC/database updates in
2015 may not be able to fly those arrival procedures; those pilot should ensure they have a non-RNAV arrival
procedure in their flight plan / clearance.
For Cross the Pond Westbound, the most likely Standard Arrival Procedures (STARs) will be the SCUPP4 and
OOSHN3 (RNAV).
All pilots are advised to review their clearances carefully, and if unable to comply with the clearance issued,
advise the controller.
All STARs, including links to their charts, may be found at: http://airnav.com/airport/KBOS
NAVIGATION
It is expected that most, if not all, pilots flying the Cross The Pond event will have FMS with current AIRAC
data onboard. However, for those flying FS9/FSX with a default GPS, it is important to remember that all of the
Boston RNAV DPs, and most of the fixes used within those procedures, are new since the default FS9/FSX
GPS data was compiled. As such, unless you have updated your default GPS, you won’t have the fixes you’ll
need to fly the procedures.
A fellow VATSIM pilot, Herve' Sors, has created and maintains a web page and databases containing updated
Navaids and Fixes for FS9, FSX and P3D. Each link (one for Navaids, one for Fixes) includes an installer that
makes life easy! These files will enable pilots who utilize their default MSFS or P3D GPS the ability to
recognize the current Navaids and Fixes in their GPS. Pilots can then fly waypoint to waypoint via their default
GPS, enabling them to fly RNAV Procedures. The files may be found here. They are donationware, as
described on Herve's home page.
With these updates, it is possible to fly the RNAV DPs (and STARs as well) by using the GPS. AND, once you
have an updated GPS database, you may be able to eliminate a lot of the fast and furious waypoint plugging
by exporting your route from vroute to your FSX. Go to for vroute. The free vroute standard version is all that
you need to gain this functionality for most major airports; there is a premium version available for a small
amount of money if you prefer access to all airports as well as the features that are included in the premium
version (which may be needed for Cross The Pond).
APPROACH
While still with Boston Center as you prepare for your arrival, be sure to obtain Boston’s current ATIS using a
second radio or by requesting controller info from the KBOS_ATIS position. The voice ATIS may contain more
information than the text ATIS, so obtaining the voice ATIS is preferable. Do not, under any circumstances,
change your primary frequency.
After determining the approach or approaches in use, obtain and familiarize yourself with the appropriate
chart(s). It is essential to have the correct charts open and in use as the controller may not have time to
provide charted information.
When checking in on the first assigned Boston Approach frequency, advise the controller on initial contact that
you have that you have the current ATIS information.
EXAMPLE:
BAW239G: Boston Approach, Speedbird 239 Golf Heavy, one one thousand, with information HOTEL.
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LANDING AND TAXI
Welcome to Boston! After landing, please expedite your turnoff onto the nearest suitable taxiway.
When advised by Tower, contact Ground (or monitor, as instructed), advise your location and that you are
ready to taxi. Advise the ground controller if you request taxi instructions using the old layout, otherwise they
will give instructions according to the new taxiway layout at Boston.
You will be given a specific taxiway routing. Read back the taxi clearance in its entirety along with any holdshort instructions.
EXAMPLE:
BOS_GND: Shamrock 125 Heavy, taxi to your gate via November, Alpha, Hold Short of Runway 4L.
EIN125: Taxi to the gate via November, Alpha, Hold Short of Runway 4L, Shamrock 125 Heavy.
You should continue to squawk Mode C until arriving at the gate.
There is no need to tell the controller that you are shutting down, logging off, etc.
FEEDBACK
You are encouraged to leave feedback for your Boston air traffic control team at
http://www.bostonartcc.net/feedback. Leaving feedback associated with specific controller names is most
helpful.
General event feedback and/or feedback about the whole Boston air traffic control team may be left on the
Cross the Pond website at http://ctp.vatsim-uk.org
RESOURCES
For additional information on Boston Logan International Airport, see http://airnav.com/airport/KBOS
For general information on the Boston ARTCC, see http://www.bostonartcc.net
________________________________________________________________________________________
The controllers and staff of the Boston ARTCC thank you for choosing to fly into Boston Logan with Team
Boston! We hope you enjoy your experience, and hope to see you in our airspace again soon. Please leave
us feedback on our performance at our website.
Have a great flight!
http://www.bostonartcc.net
Copyright ©2015
VATSIM Boston ARTCC (ZBW)
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