I Airspace and Facility Definitions

A. General

In general, staffing in the US should be from the top down such as: Center to be staffed first, Approach second, then Tower and finally Ground. In the event that a lower facility is not staffed, the upper facility shall provide the services offered by the lower facility. Example: Approach shall provide Tower services if the tower is not active, but if Ground is staffed, then the responsibility of the Approach controller ends where the Tower would end.

In the event that a controller is not rated accordingly or not able to handle an upper facility, it would be advisable for the controller to staff a lower facility until trained or until such a rating is achieved.

B. Limits and Definitions

1. ARTCC - General

A. The upper vertical limit of all ARTCCs is 60,000 ft


B. The lower vertical limit is 18,000 ft. except when the lower facilities are not staffed. In this case the lower vertical limit will extend to the lower limit of the immediate vacant facility. Some ARTCCs may have lower or higher bottoms as published.


C. The horizontal limits of the ARTCCs shall be as published.

2. Approach

A. The upper vertical limit of the Approach facilities is 10,000 ft. AGL unless published otherwise.


B. The lower vertical limit is 2501 ft. AGL when Tower is active. When the Tower is not active this limit extends to the ground.


C. In general, the distance from the center of international and regional airports shall be 40 nm. and it shall include the 25 nm MSA ring from the final approach fix at any runway. This horizontal airspace shall also extend to cover the initial approach fix if such a fix is beyond the 40 nm limit.

3. Tower

A. The upper vertical limit of the Tower shall be 2500 ft.AGL unless otherwise published. Generally, it is that airspace from the surface to 2500 feet above the airport elevation (charted in MSL) surrounding those airports that have an operational control tower and are serviced by a radar approach control.


B. The lower vertical limit of the tower shall be to ground level, but not to include the limits under Ground Control when Ground Control is active. This lower limit includes any active runways.


C. The radius from the center of the airport shall be 5 nm as stated above, with the extensions for the ILS and VOR approaches to the final approach fix.

4. Ground Control

A. No upper vertical limit


B. The horizontal limits of the Ground Control facility shall extend to the physical boundaries of the airport. This does not include any active runways which belong to the tower.

II Voice Rules and Regulations

1. Use of voice must be Team Speak only.


2. Only IVAO voice servers are allowed.


3. Use of voice must be with callsign as channel (Ex. "KZNY_CTR" - no freq's) or aircraft callsign.


4. Put the TS callsign in the appropriate box. For example, chose server, am1.ts.ivao.org and your station name, KZAU_CTR. This tells a pilot on voice where to find you in TS. If the pilot has IvAp, it will join that channel automatically when the pilot double clicks on it.

III Pilot Operations

A General

1. Do not connect unless you intend to complete your flight.

2. Pilots logging on to the network are expected to know how to fly their aircraft.

3. Pilots logging on to the network are expected to know how to file and follow ATC procedures including flights under instrument conditions. If not sure, contact the IVAO US Training Department. They offer free instruction.

4. Upon connection with IVAP, ensure your transponder is in squawk standby. This reduces the screen clutter for the controllers. Switch to squawk normal prior to take-off or when ATC instructs, whichever is first. This is known as "Mode C" operation.

5. It is not allowed to start up FS while on a runway - Start FS and contact ATC while on the apron or terminal.

6. Pilots must follow and read back all ATC instructions.

7. Indicate your pilot-rating in your flight plan

8. Do not pause the simulation when there's other traffic. It could cause problems for others. Uncheck the "pause simulation while switching tasks" in Flight Simulator. That way if you open a menu in FS the a/c will continue to fly.

9. Use proper aviation language. It eliminates confusion and clarifies your intentions. Remember: real pilots fly with IVAO also. If you dont understand the language, ask.

10. Use the ICAO phonetic language in al conversations. See Chapter five of these SOPs ro click here.

B Visual Flight Rules operations

1. In controlled airspace, operations conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) shall be approved at the discretion of the facility controller (Tower or above).

2. Weather minimums for VFR operations shall be as follows:

A. Visibility: 3 sm

B. Ceiling: 1200 ft.

C. Clear of clouds.

3. When VFR operations are conducted within a controlled facility, the pilots shall abide by the instructions issued by that facility. Pilots are required to read back all clearances.

4. When VFR operations are conducted outside a controlled facility, the pilots shall provide their own navigation and must observe all VFR rules concerning other traffic. IFR traffic shall have right of way in all cases.

5. VFR operations conducted beyond the limits of ATC facilities will be offered ATC service only by pilot request. In such cases, pilots are required to comply with the instructions as if they were in controlled airspace.

6. VFR altitudes shall be as follows:

A. Magnetic headings between 0 and 179 degrees, odd thousands plus five hundred.

B. Magnetic headings between 180 and 359 degrees, even thousands plus five hundred.

C. This rule applies only to aircraft cruising above 3000 ft AGL. and does not apply to aircraft on instructional flights while practicing maneuvers.

D. No VFR operations shall be allowed at altitudes above 18,000 MSL in Class A Airspace.

C Instrument Flight Rules

1. All aircraft operating under IFR shall file a flight plan and shall abide by the directions of the controlling facility. Pilots are required to read back all clearances.


2. Pilots filing IFR are expected to have charts onboard. ATC may deny an IFR flightplan without charts.


3. Weather minimums for IFR operations shall be as published for each approach.


4. Pilots are required to report the following:

A. Arriving at any holding short point.


B. Position and hold


C. Leaving the controlled airspace.


D. All altitude changes even when approved. This includes:

1. Vacating an altitude


2. Reaching an altitude

E. Crossing any VOR, NDB, Waypoint, intersection, or fix to which the pilot has been cleared. This does not apply to the "cleared as filed" (CAF) clearance while en route, but applies to the departure and approach segments of the flight. Pilots are only required to report items on charts which are classified as a "compulsory waypoint."


F. Crossing the Outer Marker/Final Apporoach Fix inbound.


G. Crossing the VOR inbound/outbound on a VOR approach.


H. When established on the localizer or VOR radial inbound from a procedure turn.


I. Clearing the active runway.


J. Crossing the holding fix while on a holding pattern..


K. Any other point or operation for which the controller has requested a report, whether needed or not.

D SIDs and STARs

1. Standard Instrument Departures and Standard Terminal Arrival Routes should be used when able for commercial flights.


2. Pilots are not required to accept a SID/STAR that they don't have a description for, thus they may need vectors thru that portion of flight.


3. The controller may not accept a SID/STAR made for an FMS that may have altitude changes as this may conflict with other aircraft. So, please use the altitudes published in the charts.

E RVSM

1. RVSM means reduced vertical separation minima - or in plain english the reduction of the vertical separation required between FL290 and FL410 from 2000ft to 1000ft. By doing this you double the amount of airspace available, therefore doubling the traffic capacity.


2. On IVAO there isn't much to it, as any aircraft can be considered RVSM, or non-RVSM. There are however a few important procedures for pilots and ATC to follow.


3. Pilots flying through RVSM airspace continue using the Odd-East / West-Even rule up to FL410, after which the airspace becomes CVSM.


4. All pilots operating within RVSM airspace are to comply with the following guidelines, regardless the registration of the aircraft.

A. Pilots flying RVSM certified aircraft are expected to file altitudes appropriate for the direction of flight utilizing the semi-circular cruising system (NE-Odd/SW-Even).


B. The equipment suffix W shall be filed in the flight plan to indicate RVSM certification.


C. Autopilot must be used to maintain altitude in level cruise flight. Manual trimming of the aircraft is not acceptable. If the autopilot does not work or the altitude hold mode is known to be inaccurate, the aircraft will be considered non-RVSM, and therefore not allowed into RVSM airspace. The equipment suffix "W" is not to be used on such aircraft.


D. If a pilot notices his aircraft is unable to accurately maintain altitudes with the autopilot altitude hold he/she is to consider the aircraft as not up to RVSM standards and notify ATC at once This applies applies regardless of whether the aircraft is already in, or cleared to enter RVSM airspace. ATC may instruct pilots of such aircraft to leave RVSM airspace if traffic requires.


E. Pilots in RVSM Airspace must report levelling at assigned altitudes.


F. Pilots are to report any encounters with turbulence greater than moderate. By its nature, severe turbulence means that control of the aircraft is affected, and RVSM procedures can no longer be maintained in turbulence greater than moderate.

5. There are a few exceptions which may allow a non-RVSM certified aircraft to operate with RVSM exclusionary airspace. For those who do get clearance into it, the following rules apply:

A. RVSM certified aircraft will receive priority for altitude assignment over non-RVSM aircraft.


B. Vertical separation of 2,000 feet will be maintained between non-RVSM aircraft and all other aircraft.


C. Aircraft wishing to climb or descend through RVSM airspace are to be granted clearance provided they do not level off within RVSM airspace, should maintain a normal rate of climb or descent (no cruise climbs/descents allowed).


D. Aircraft used by military, police and customs services are exempt from RVSM certification requirements, do not require advance approval, and will be provided with 2,000 feet separation from all other aircraft in RVSM airspace.


E. Non-RVSM aircraft may not flight plan to operate within RVSM airspace. After special coordination, aircraft on initial delivery (from manufacturer to airline), aircraft who had RVSM certification but are in need of maintenance for those systems, aircraft on Special Operations Missions will be allowed to operate within RVSM airspace, and will be given 2,000 feet of vertical separation from all other aircraft.

IV Controller Operations

These guidelines and rules will help us in the uniformity of the center. If many of the terms are new to you or if you are having difficulty in understanding these, please consider enrolling in the IVAO US ATC School. Visit the IVAO US website.

1. Do not connect as ATC unless you are sure you can stay controlling for at least 30 minutes.


2. ATC must respect the controlled area and sector-borders. For example - do not control outside you assigned area unless the areas are un-manned - If you expect new ATC to arrive, hand over to new ATC when he/she is ready.


3. ATC must update ATIS regulary (once an hour) to be able to change active runways, due to changing winds or weather.


4. When controlling use the callsigns, frequencies and information listed in the database.


5. When observing it is not allowed to use 'valid' callsign extensions (CTR, APP, TWR etc.) Append _OBS to the facility's callsing. Ex: KORD_OBS


6. If you wish to provide an ATC service, use the correct extension (_CTR, _APP, _DEP, _TWR, _GND, _DEL ).


7. ATC positions should be manned in this order: CTR, APP, TWR, GND - if you are capable of handling. In other words - staff the highest position you can handle (DEP only when a lot of departing traffic expected, else APP will handle departures)


8. Control of aircraft may only be transferred by co-ordination and handoff with the other ATC. Using guard or private messages to ask a pilot to transfer from another controller's control ("stealing") is not acceptable.


9. Always be ethical in your communication. Use proper language and follow proper procedures for issuing clearances. This will avoid misunderstandings between pilots and controllers. Remember that pilots come from many different countries and simple slang could be confusing.


10. Pilots are not required to accept a SID/STAR that they dont have a description for, thus they may need vectors thru that portion of flight.


11. The controller may or may not accept a SID/STAR made for an FMS that may have altitude changes as this may conflict with other aircraft.


12. If the required altitudes differ from the published procedure, the controller is required to advise he will issue altitude changes to the SID/STAR.


13. Valid transponder codes should be: 1200 for Uncontrolled VFR, 12XX for VFR flight following, 01XX for VFR Flight Following/Special flights (e.g. Medivac) 2XXX/3XXX/4XXX/5XXX for IFR airliners, 6XXX for military.


14. Each facility should have its own channel in TeamSpeak. Multiple facilities on one frequency is not allowed. The examples below indicate individual facilities in the Belgium TeamSpeak server:

a. Center: am1.ts.ivao.org/kzau_ctr


b. Approach: am1.ts.ivao.org/kord_app


c. Tower: am1.ts.ivao.org/kord_twr


d. Ground: am1.ts.ivao.org/kord_gnd

15. All controllers operating positions involving RVSM airspace are to follow the following guidelines.

A. All aircraft having filed /W equipment suffix will be considered RVSM certified and equipped, unless there it is apparent that the aircraft is unable to hold altitude with reasonable accuracy.


B. Aircraft not having filed /W equipment suffix, will not be cleared to enter RVSM airspace except for those aircraft meeting the conditions described in the exceptions listed below.


C. Aircraft operating in RVSM Airspace who indicate an inability to maintain altitude correctly shall be considered non-RVSM compliant. Separation for such aircraft shall be immediately increased to 2,000 feet vertically, and shall be cleared to climb or descend out of the RVSM airspace as soon as practicable. Aircraft who are unable to make destination due to fuel requirements at lower levels will not be required to descend below RVSM airspace, but 2000ft separation will have to be maintained at all times. The idea is to remain within the rules of RVSM while not creating a fuel shortage for the aircraft involved. It is essential to pass this information to adjacent sectors/units.


D. Use of altitudes inappropriate to direction of flight (wrong-way) in RVSM airspace remain the same as outside of RVSM airspace. Aircraft cruising at such altitudes should be cleared back to correct altitudes as soon as practicable.


E. ATC shall add the words "Report reaching" to the end of all altitude assignments within RVSM airspace.


F. If an aircraft reports greater than moderate turbulence, use of 2,000 feet vertical separation will be required. Immediate action must be taken to provide another form of separation, including changing of altitudes, use of speed control, or re-routing.

V ICAO Phonetic Alphabet

In all cases, the ICAO phonetic alphabet shall be used in all communications. As static, line noise and aircraft noise can render normal speech garbled, the use of these phonetic codes help in clarifying our language.