Townsville (YBTL)

Positions

Name	Callsign	Frequency	Login ID
Townsville ADC	Townsville Tower	118.300	TL_TWR
Townsville SMC	Townsville Ground	121.800	TL_GND
Townsville ACD	Townsville Delivery	128.100	TL_DEL
Townsville ATIS		133.500	YBTL_ATIS

Note

YBTL is a joint military/civil aerodrome and procedures can differ significantly to those at a civil aerodrome. Ensure you are familiar with the military controller skills necessary to provide a quality service.

Airspace

TL ADC owns the Class C airspace in the TL MIL CTR SFC to A015.

Restricted Area Activations

There are no restricted areas or MOAs activated by default when TL ADC is online.

Manoeuvring Area

Manoeuvring Area Responsibility

ADC is responsible for all runways as well as Helipad B and Helipad F when not released to SMC.

Note

Helipad F is released to SMC by default. ADC must coordinate with SMC prior to issuing a landing clearance to any helicopter intending to use Helipad F.

Runway 07/25 is located close to, but does not intersect with, Runway 01/19. Aircraft landing on Runway 07 must receive explicit clearance to cross Runway 01/19, via Taxiway D3.

Recommended Taxi Routes

Except when the traffic situation warrants, taxi clearances shall conform to the following diagram:

Runway 01Runway 19

Bay 1 Pushbacks

Code D aircraft requiring pushback from Bay 1 must pushback onto Taxiway A.

All other aircraft will pushback onto the taxilane behind Bay 2.

Taxiway Limitations

Taxiway C is only available to light aircraft. Taxiways J is not available to any aircraft.

Local Procedures

Initial and Pitch

The intial points are 5NM from the ARP, displaced 1,000 feet laterally to the dead side of the runway, A025.

Aircraft arriving Runway 19 should be assigned either a left initial or right initial; a straight initial is not available due to high terrain over Magnetic Island.

Aircraft arriving Runway 01 should be assigned either a left initial, standard right initial, or close right initial. On a close right initial aircraft will track north of Mt Stuart, as opposed to aircraft tracking on a standard right initial, who pass Mt Stuart to the south.

Coded Clearances

There are multiple different coded clearances used for a variety of civil and military operations.

Tip

Coordination requirements exist between ACD and TCU when aircraft are requesting clearance to operate in an SUA that has not been activated. Controllers performing the role of ACD should ensure they coordinate with TCU before providing clearance.

Bluewater Clearance

The D764 Townsville danger area, also known as the Bluewater Training Area, is a commonly used training area west of YBTL.

Aircraft departing to the training area should be cleared a 'BLUEWATER' clearance. This clearance gives aircraft permission depart the TL MIL CTR, and transit to the D764 danger area via the appropriate track.

Duty RWY	Direction	Tracking	Notes
RWY 01	Outbound	YBTL-via coast remaining over land-D764	Not above `A015` until within D764
RWY 01	Inbound	D764-YBU-YBTL
RWY 19	Outbound	YBTL-YBU-D764	Not above `A015` until within D764
RWY 19	Inbound	D764-via coast remaining over land-YBTL

Phraseology

ABC: "Townsville Delivery, ABC for Bluewater Training Area, request clearance.”
TL ACD: "ABC, Townsville Delivery, standby."

TL ACD -> TLA: "ABC, requests clearance to D764.”
TLA -> TL ACD: "ABC, clearance approved."

TL ACD: "ABC, clearance available"
ABC: "ABC”
TL ACD: "ABC, cleared BLUEWATER, not above A015, squawk 0361, departure frequency 126.8"

Note

ACD shall write the coded clearance in the global ops field prior to issuing clearance, for the awareness of other controllers.

Thunder and Lightning

There are two military coded clearances designed to facilitate fast jet departures in IMC.

Aircraft will request either the Lightning 1 Departure (if departing Runway 01), or the Thunder 1 Departure (if departing Runway 19), which entails tracking runway heading while performing a steep climb to reach the MSA.

Phraseology

VIGL11: "Townsville Delivery, VIGL11 for YAMB, request Lightning 1 and clearance.”
TL ACD: "VIGL11, Townsville Delivery, cleared to YAMB via JEMMA flight planned route. Lightning 1 departure, climb to F180, squawk 6066, departure frequency 126.8"

Note

Assigning the Thunder or Lightning coded clearance to an aircraft does not meet the requirements for auto release. These aircraft must be 'Next' coordinated with TL TCU.

YPAM Traffic

In VMC, light aircraft travelling between YBTL and YPAM should be cleared a 'CORDELIA' or 'RATTLESNAKE' clearance, according to the YBTL runway in use.

Duty RWY	Clearance	Tracking Points	Notes
RWY 01 or 07	CORDELIA Outbound	`YBTL RDRS RKI052005 YPAM`	Aircraft to remain east of RDRS and Cordelia Rocks (RKI052005)
RWY 01 or 07	RATTLESNAKE Outbound	`YBTL MBHR RKI YPAM`	When R747 restricted area is active, expect amended tracking
RWY 19 or 25	RATTLESNAKE Inbound	`YPAM RKI MBHR YBTL`	When R747 restricted area is active, expect amended tracking
RWY 19 or 25	CORDELIA Inbound	`YPAM RKI052005 RDRS YBTL`	Aircraft to remain east of RDRS and Cordelia Rocks (RKI052005)

Phraseology

DEF: "Townsville Delivery, DEF for YPAM, request clearance.”
TL ACD: "DEF, Townsville Delivery, cleared CORDELIA Outbound, climb A035, squawk 0313, departure frequency 126.8."

Note

ACD shall update the pilot's route and write the coded clearance in the global ops field prior to issuing clearance, for the awareness of other controllers.

Military Gates

There are several military gates established throughout the TL TMA to facilitate entry and exit to adjoining SUA.

Pilots should include the desired departure gate when requesting clearance.

Phraseology

DPBR23 plans to enter the M742 MOA via KAGES for military training and airwork.
DPBR23: "Townsville Delivery, DPBR23 for KAGES, A100 for M742, request clearance."
TL ACD: "DPBR23, Townsville Delivery. Cleared KAGES, visual departure. Climb to A100, squawk 6001, departure frequency 126.8."

If the pilot does not nominate a gate, or nominates a gate that does not provide access to their intended SUA, TL ACD should clear the aircraft to depart via the appropriate gate.

Intended SUA	TCU Exit Gate
M742	KAGES (RWY 01 DEP) REGIN (RWY 19 DEP)
R736	TANGO
R738A-H	TANGO
R738G-H	TANGO
R732	TANGO
R739	TANGO
R747	N/A
R751	TANGO
R752	TANGO

Tip

Coordination requirements exist between ACD and TCU when aircraft are requesting clearance to operate in an SUA that has not been activated. Controllers performing the role of ACD should ensure they coordinate with TCU before providing clearance.

Special Use Airspace

R768A Mt Stuart

The R768A Mt Stuart restricted area is a non-flying SUA located in the south of the TL MIL CTR, SFC-A020. It is activated daily from 2100-1200 UTC.

All instrument approaches for Runway 01 and Runway 19 SIDs are procedurally separated from the restricted area. All other aircraft should be separated, when activated.

VFR Operations

VFR Routes

There are six VFR routes established in and around the YBTL TMA to facilitate VFR operations.

VFR Routes	Outbound	Inbound
Clevedon	TL - 771ft Hill - CEN - GIRU	GIRU - CEN - 771ft Hill - Abeam SUNZ
Thornton North	TL - MBC - TNP	TNP - MBC - TL
Thornton South	TL - MMT - TNP	TNP - MMT - TL
Rollingstone	TL - Abeam YBU - TOOU	TOOU - Abeam YBU - TL
Stuart	TL - Stuart - ANP - DOP	DOP - ANP - Stuart - TL
Upper Ross	TVL TAC - TCNR - RRDM - Abeam RMT - DOP	DOP - Abeam RMT - RRDM - TCNR - TVL TAC

When Runway 01 is in use, the Thornton North VFR route is generally used for departures, while the Thornton South VFR route is used for arrivals. When Runway 19 is in use, the usage is reversed.

Helicopter Operations

Helipads

There are two helipads at YBTL:

Helipad F (at the intersection of Taxiways B and F)
Helipad B (north of Taxiway B abeam the HELO apron)

Both helipads are part of the manoeuvring area and controlled by TL ADC. Any helicopter taking off or landing on the helipads require a specific takeoff or landing clearance from ADC.

Phraseology

TL ADC: "FTBY21, helipad F, cleared to land"

By default, Helipad F is released to SMC. ADC must coordinate with SMC prior to issuing a landing clearance to ensure all taxiing aircraft remain clear of the pad.

Departures

VFR helicopters are generally processed via a VFR route. IFR helicopters should conform to fixed wing operations and be processed via the appropriate radar SID from a duty runway, unless a visual departure is acceptable.

Arrivals

VFR helicopters are generally processed via a VFR route. IFR helicopters should conform to fixed wing operationss and be processed via an appropriate runway.

During busy periods, ADC may choose to instruct helicopters to hold at a clearance limit to facilitate separation with other aircraft.

Duty Runway	Clearance Limit
01	'The Lakes' (TL123002)
19	KSPT

Phraseology

ABC: "Townsville Tower, helicopter ABC, SUNZ for YBTL, A005, received Tango, request clearance"
TL ADC: "ABC, Townsville Tower, clearance limit KSPT, maintain A005. Report at KSPT"
ABC: "Clearance limit KSPT, maintain A005, report at KSPT, ABC"

Hospital Helipads

Within the Townsville CTR there are half a dozen HLS's, including Townsville Hospital (YXTL).

These pads sit outside the manoeuvring area, so no takeoff or landing clearances should be issued. Instead, helicopters should be instructed to report airborne or report on the ground.

Operating Areas

There are multiple defined operating areas within the TL MIL CTR to facilitate helicopter operations.

Helicopter Operating Areas within TL MIL CTR (Ground) — Helicopter Operating Areas within TL MIL CTR (Ground View)

Northern Grass

Helicopters may perform airwork below 100FT AGL within the 'Northern Grass', an area north of the northern OLA.

Helicopters requesting clearance to operate in the Northern Grass shall be cleared to air transit to, and then operate within, the area by ADC.

Phraseology

AGRY11: "Townsville Tower, helicopter AGRY11, Heli Apron, for the Northern Grass."
TL ADC: "AGRY11, Townsville Tower, air transit Northern Grass, cross runway 07. Report established."
AGRY11: "Air transit Northern Grass, cross runway 07, AGRY11."

AGRY11: "Townsville Tower, AGRY11, established Northern Grass."
TL ADC: "AGRY11, cleared to operate Northern Grass, not above 100ft."

Helo West

The Helo West operating area is located north-west of the ARP, within TL MIL CTR airspace. Helicopters may request clearance to operate within the circuit area, not above A010.

Most operations within the Helo West area will use Pad West, a designated landing site west of Taxiway M outside the manouevring area.

Aircraft may be instructed to maintain a listening watch upon reporting established in the area. This allows the aircraft to operate within the lateral confines without needing to report airborne or on the ground.

Phraseology

CHSW41: "Townsville Tower, helicopter CHSW41, Heli Apron, for Helo West."
TL ADC: "CHSW41, Townsville Tower, air transit Pad West, cross runway 07."
CHSW41: "Air transit Pad West, cross runway 07, CHSW41"

CHSW41: "Townsville Tower, CHSW41, established Pad West."
TL ADC: "CHSW41, cleared to operate Helo West, not above A010. Maintain listening watch."
CHSW41: "Cleared to operate Helo West, not above A010, maintain listening watch, CHSW41."

This can be cancelled at any time by ADC by instructing the aircraft to 'resume full reporting'.

Phraseology

TL ADC: "CHSW41, resume full reporting."
CHSW41: "Resume full reporting, CHSW41"

Note

Helo West and Town Common are overlapping areas. Aircraft should not be cleared to operate in the areas simultaneously.

Lavarack Circuit Area

The Lavarack Circuit Area is established over the Lavarack Barracks (YLVK), southwest of YBTL. Helicopters may request the activation of the Lavarack Circuit Area, not above A010.

The Lavarack Circuit Area is not separated from aircraft departing Runway 19 on a procedural SID or aircraft tracking via the RNP-Z and RNP-P Runway 01 approach.

Town Common

Town Common is a helicopter training area north-west of the ARP, within TL MIL CTR airspace. The area is divided into three subsections: Town Common East, Town Common West, and Many Peaks.

Helicopters intending to operate in any part of Town Common should request clearance from ACD.

Phraseology

CROW22: "Townsville Delivery, helicopter CROW22, Heli Apron, for Town Common West, request clearance."
TL ACD: "CROW22, Townsville Delivery, cleared Town Common West, not above A015, squawk 6417."
CROW22: "Cleared Town Common West, not above A015, squawk 6417, CROW22."

Note

Town Common and Helo West are overlapping areas. Aircraft should not be cleared to operate in the areas simultaneously.

Runway Modes

Preferred Runway Modes

Winds must always be considered for runway modes (Crosswind <20kts, Tailwind <5kts), however the order of preference is as follows:

Priority - Mode	Arrivals	Departures
=1 - 01AD/07AD	01 & 07	01 & 07
=1 - 19AD/25AD	19 & 25	19 & 25
=2 - 01 Only	01	01
=2 - 19 Only	19	19
=3 - 07 Only	07	07
=3 - 25 Only	25	25

Circuits

The circuit height is A015.

Circuit Direction

Runway	Direction
01	Left
07	Left
19	Right
25	Right

SID Selection

Civil Aircraft

Aircraft planned via PEWEE, AKROM, CARMN, ANRUB, CATEY, JEMMA, and WALTA shall be assigned the Procedural SID that terminates at the appropriate SID terminus.

RNP (0.3) approved operators planned via JEMMA and departing Runway 19 shall be assigned the KVALM procedural SID.

Aircraft not planned via any of these waypoints shall receive amended routing via the most appropriate SID terminus, or be cleared via the following SIDs:

Runway	Westbound	Eastbound
01	TL NORTH SID	TL EAST SID
19	IGBIK SID	RURTO SID
07/25	Visual	Visual

Light and non-RNAV aircraft shall be assigned a visual departure in VMC.

CATEY Departures

When the R738A restricted area is active, aircraft planned via CATEY shall be assigned the ANRUB (if southbound) or CARMN (if northbound) SID.

Military Aircraft

Military aircraft that are unable to accept a procedural SID are generally processed through visual departures.

In IMC, fast jets may be assigned the Thunder (Runway 01) or Lightning (Runway 19) coded clearance

Coordination

Auto Release

Next coordination is not required from TL ADC to TL TCU for aircraft that are:

Departing from a runway nominated in the ATIS; and
Assigned the standard assignable level; and
Assigned a Procedural SID

The Standard Assignable level from TL ADC to TL TCU is:

Aircraft	Level
All	The lower of `F180` and `RFL`

Departures Controller

When a TCU controller is online, aircraft shall be issued with a departure frequency during their airways clearance in accordance with the table below. If no TCU controllers are online, the Advisory frequency shall be issued.

Runway	Via	Departure Frequency
All	All	126.8 (TLA)

ACD to TL TCU

The controller assuming responsibility of ACD shall give heads-up coordination to TLA (or the enroute controller responsible for the TL TCU) prior to the issue of a clearance to an aircraft intending to operate in an SUA that has not been activated.

Phraseology

TL ACD -> TLA: "PSSM31 requests clearance to M742"
TLA -> TL ACD: "PSSM31, clearance approved."

ADC to SMC

Helipad F is released to SMC by default. ADC must cancel the release prior to issuing a landing clearance to any helicopters intending to use the pad.

Tip

Helipad F is not selectable through the OzStrips runway release/crossing system. A manual bar should be added to the Runway Bay to denote the status of Helipad F.

Phraseology

ADC -> SMC: "Cancel release of Helipad F"
SMC -> ADC: "Helipad F, no traffic"

ADC shall endeavour to release the helipad to SMC as soon as possible, to minimise the disruption to taxiing aircraft.

Phraseology

ADC -> SMC: "Helipad F released to Ground"
SMC -> ADC: "Helipad F released to Ground"

Whilst the helipad is being controlled by ADC, SMC must coordinate each aircraft to cross the pad on Taxiway A.

Phraseology

ADC -> SMC: "737 on A to cross Helipad F"
SMC -> ADC: "737 on A cross Helipad F"

Charts

Reference

In addition to the civilian ERSA and AIP publications, the RAAF AIP website contains the necessary charts (available in the TERMA) and description of procedures (in each airports' FIHA).