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

Non-standard positions may only be used in accordance with VATPAC Air Traffic Services Policy.
Approval must be sought from the bolded parent position prior to opening a Non-Standard Position, unless NOTAMs indicate otherwise (eg, for events).

Note

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

Airspace

DN TCU owns the airspace within a 40NM radius of the DN DME from SFC-F180.

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

DN ADC

DN 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. Fixed-wing circuit operations are typically conducted at Delissaville (YDLV) due to high traffic density at Darwin.

Local Procedures

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:

  • Over water in the Beagle Gulf
  • Between the 320 and 020 TACAN radials
  • 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 (YRBK) without the need for communication with Darwin TCU.

VFR Arrivals/Departures

VFR aircraft generally track via designated VFR routes, as shown on the Darwin VTC. Inbound aircraft tracking via the DN CTA shall be cleared for a VFR route based on their inbound direction.

Inbound Radial Route Waypoints
270-044 VFR Route 1 CGR JAC LPT
045-104 VFR Route 2 ADRM JAC LPT
105-133 VFR Route 3 ADB LAD CHI
134-179 VFR Route 4 MTD LAD CHI
180-269 VFR Route 5 BYNO CHI

Phraseology

DN TCU: "LKU, cleared to YPDN via VFR Route 3, maintain A035"

VFR fixed wing aircraft entering the CTR directly from Class G and helicopters tracking via the Talc Head coded clearance shall contact DN ADC for clearance.

Runway Modes

LAHSO

Important

Due to its operational complexity, LAHSO must be authorised by a senior VATPAC staff member or a nominated event coordinator.

Detailed procedures exist to ensure that controllers are aware of their responsibilities when performing LAHSO. See Controller Skills for more information.

Flow

Local Knowledge

  • Aircraft may be assigned the Whiskey STAR to reduce track miles
  • Non-jet aircraft may be assigned runway 18/36 (when suitable) to increase arrival rate
  • LAHSO runway mode will increase arrival rate when aircraft of different categories are inbound (see activation prerequisites for specific LAHSO approvals required)

Flow Tables

The tables below give an estimated time in minutes from the Feeder Fix to the Threshold.

STAR RWY 11 RWY 29
ANUPA A/X
Feeder Fix: SUDAG
12^
18
GATOR A/X 17 13
VEGPU A/X 13 8^
VEGPU W 11^ -
WANGI A/X 15 17
WANGI W 14 15
STAR RWY 11 RWY 29
ANUPA A/X
Feeder Fix: SUDAG
13^
21
GATOR A/X 19 14
VEGPU A/X 15 9^
VEGPU W 13^ -
WANGI A/X 17 19
WANGI W 16 17

Corrections

Situation Correction
Assigned a reduced speed +1 min, except ^
Over 40kt of head/tailwind component +1 min for headwind
-1 min for tailwind

Assumptions

  • Nil wind
  • The feeder fix for all STARs is the waypoint coinciding with the title of the STAR, except:
    • The feeder fix for the ANUPA STAR is SUDAG

Calculator

The following calculator will generate a landing time from a feeder fix ETA, or the reverse.

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.

Phraseology

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

Auto Release

Next coordination is required from DN ADC to DN TCU for all aircraft.

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

Aircraft Level
IFR aircraft assigned a Procedural SID The lower of F180 and RFL
IFR aircraft not assigned a Procedural SID The lower of A030 and RFL
VFR aircraft The lower of A020 and 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

Phraseology

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

Charts

Reference

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