Skip to content

Darwin TCU

Positions

Name ID Callsign Frequency Login ID
Darwin Approach East DAE Darwin Approach 125.200 DN_APP
Darwin Approach West† DAW Darwin Approach 134.100 DN-W_APP

† Non-standard positions may only be used in accordance with VATPAC Air Traffic Services Policy

Airspace

TCU

DN TCU owns the airspace within a 40NM radius of the DN DME from SFC–FL180

DN TCU is also responsible for Active Restricted Area R264 A-K and R230 A-F

DAW may request DN TCU (SFC–F240) from TRT to facilitate military transits to/from R264 A-K and R230 A-F

Airspace Division

When both DN TCU positions are opened, DN TCU is split east and west along the runway 18/36 extended centreline. DAW owns the airspace to the west of the line and DAE owns the airspace to the east of the line

Default DN TCU Upper Limits

DN TCU Airspace

ADC

ADC owns the airspace within the DN CTR (SFC–A010). This airspace is designed to facilitate the processing of helicopter scenic flights and low-level helicopter circuits.
The CTR extends 7NM from the thresholds of runways 11 and 29 but does not including the Robertson Barracks transit zone.

ADC may request DN TCU (SFC–A020) from DN TCU to facilitate fixed-wing circuit operations:
a) Fixed-wing circuit operations are typically conducted at Delissaville (YDLV) due to high traffic density at Darwin
b) ADC may deny requests for circuits if IFR traffic may be unduly delayed

DN ADC Airspace

DN ADC Airspace

Runway Modes

Runway selection shall be coordinated by DN ADC. In any case, a change of runway mode shall not be broadcast on the ATIS until DAW accepts the change.

The Runway Mode options available are:

a) Runway 29 and Runway 36;
b) Runway 29 and Runway 18;
c) Runway 29 only;
d) Runway 11 and Runway 36;
e) Runway 11 and Runway 18;
f) Runway 11 only.

Charts

Note

Additional charts to the AIP may be found in the RAAF TERMA document, available towards the bottom of RAAF AIP page

Miscellaneous

IFR Training Area

IFR aircraft requiring an area for training shall be cleared to operate in the North Eastern Training Area (NETA)
The NETA is defined as the area between DN 360R–060R from 15NM–30NM DN DME.
Aircraft are to be cleared to the NETA via the 030R outbound. Vertical limits are to be specified by DAW prior to issuing airways clearance

Designated Fuel Dumping Area

Other than in an emergency, the designated fuel jettison area is:
a) Over water in the Beagle Gulf
b) Between the 320 and 020 TACAN radials
c) A060 or above

Robertson Barracks

Darwin TCU is not responsible for traffic or separation services within the A005 step to the east of Darwin. This step is designed for low-level VFR MIL helos to transit in/out of Robertson Barracks without the need for communication with Darwin TCU.

YPDN VFR Departures

A020 or the planned level; whichever is lower, to all VFR aircraft.

VFR aircraft are required to track via one of the published VFR Routes.

VFR routes shall be assigned based on the destination radial from Darwin.

Assign VFR routes in accordance with the following radial chart:

Outbound Radial Assigned VFR Route
360 – 040 VFR Route 1
041 – 084 VFR Route 2
085 – 124 VFR Route 3
125 – 180 VFR Route 4
181 – 224 VFR Route 5
225 – 359 Direct

Tip

If a VFR aircraft has not planned via a VFR route as above, use the phraseology: “ABC, cleared amended route VFR route 1, maintain A020, squawk 4512”

Coordination

Enroute

Departures

Voiceless for all aircraft:

  • Tracking via a Procedural SID terminus; and
  • Assigned the lower of F180 or the RFL

Note

Aircraft are not required to be tracking via the SID procedure, simply tracking via any of the terminus waypoints (Regardless of departure airport or assigned SID) is sufficient to meet the criteria for voiceless coordination

All other aircraft going to TRT CTA must be Heads-up Coordinated by DN TCU prior to the boundary.

Example

DN TCU -> TRT: "PFY1234, with your concurrence, will be assigned F160, for my separation with JTE654"
TRT -> DN TCU: "PFY1234, concur F160"

Arrivals

Voiceless for all aircraft:

  • With ADES YPDN; and
  • Assigned a STAR; and
  • Assigned A100

All other aircraft coming from TRT CTA will be Heads-up Coordinated to DN TCU.

ADC

Airspace

DN ADC owns the airspace within the DN CTR SFC–A010.

Auto Release

Auto-Release is not available at YPDN. All Departures will be coordinated when ready for departure.

Example

DN ADC -> DN TCU: "Next, EOC, runway 18"
DN TCU -> DN ADC: "EOC, Track Extended Centreline, unrestricted"
DN ADC -> DN TCU: "Track Extended Centreline, EOC"

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

  • For IFR aircraft assigned a Procedural SID: the lower of F180 or the RFL.
  • For IFR aircraft not assigned a Procedural SID: the lower of A030 or the RFL.
  • For VFR aircraft: the lower of A020 or the RFL.

DN TCU Internal

Heads-up coordination is not required between DAW and DAE for:

  • Departures on a Procedural SID and assigned F180
  • Arrivals on a STAR assigned A060

All other aircraft must be heads-up coordinated prior to the airspace boundary

Example

DAW -> DAE: "via DN, CFH23"
DAE -> DAW: "CFH23, A090"