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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 Class C and G airspace within 40NM DME DN from SFCto F180.

DN ADC

DN ADC owns the Class C airspace in the DN MIL CTR SFC to A010.

Airspace Division

DN TCU Structure

DN TCU Structure

Important

Separation between aircraft tracking along the runway 18/36 extended centreline is a joint responsibility of DAE and DAW. Aircraft will be assigned the appropriate departure frequency according to their direction of travel, and each controller will apply separation from the other departure controllers' traffic.

Restricted Area Activations

There are no restricted areas or MOAs activated by default when DN TCU is online.

SUA in Enroute Airspace

Military operations taking place in SUA in enroute airspace are outside the jurisdiction of TL TCU.

Upon receiving airways clearance coordination from ACD of an aircraft intending to operate in a currently inactive SUA in enroute airspace, TL TCU must give heads up coordination to relevant enroute controllers.

This gives the enroute controller sufficient time to assess the request, make necessary adjustments to any aircraft in the area currently, and activate the SUA; or alternately to refuse the activation request before the aircraft is in the air.

Phraseology

GRFN11 is requesting clearance to operate in the M278A-D restricted area.
DN ACD -> DAE: "GRFN11 requests clearance to M278A-D”
DAE -> DN ACD: "Standby, call you back."

DAE -> TRT: "On the groud YBTL, GRFN11, requests activation of M278A-D A050-F600, from 0300 until 0500.”
TRT -> DAE: "GRFN11, expect activation of M278A-D A050-F600 at 0300 until 0500."
DAE -> TRT: "GRFN11."

DAE -> DN ACD: "GRFN11, clearance approved."
DN ACD -> DAE: "Clearance approved, GRFN11"

Note

The requirement to coordinate activation of an SUA is in addition to existing coordination requirements. Heads-up coordination is still required for these aircraft if they do not meet the voiceless coordination criteria.

Local Procedures

Initial and Pitch

The initial points are at 5 TAC, aligned with Runway 11 and 29. Aircraft will arrive via a straight initial.

Military Gates

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

DN SUA Gates

DN SUA Gates

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

Intended SUA TCU Exit Gate
M277A-D Gates 6-8
M277E-H Gates 5-6
M278A Gates A25-C25
M278B-D Gates A40-C40
M278E Gates C25-E25
M278F-H Gates A40-C40
R245 Gates 2-3
R251 Gate 1
R276A-D Gate 4

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.

North Eastern 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

Special Use Airspace

Notable SUA in the DN TMA

Notable SUA in the DN TMA

M277A-H Darwin

The M277A-H Darwin MOAs are located southwest of YPDN, NOTAM-NOTAM. M277A and M277E are entirely within DN TCU airspace, while M277B-D and M277F-H are in TRT airspace.

Aircraft will generally enter and exit the MOA via the appropriate military gate.

Affected Civil Operations

Activation of the MOA disrupts traffic on the J151 high altitude airway, and aircraft departing via the HELLI SID. Aircraft may be given an additional requirement to climb above the vertical limits of the activation, or rerouted manually to avoid the area.

Phraseology

QFA849 has departed YPDN Runway 11 on the HELLI SID, bound for YPPH. The M277E restricted area has been activated SFC-F150.
DAE: "QFA849, Darwin Approach, identified. Climb via SID to F180, requirement to reach A160 by UTTOX."
QFA849: "Climb via SID to F180, requirement to reach A160 by UTTOX, QFA849."

M278A-H Darwin

The M278A-H Darwin MOAs are located northeast of YPDN, NOTAM-NOTAM. M278A and M278E are entirely within DN TCU airspace, while M278B-D and M278F-H are in TRT and TRS airspace.

Aircraft will generally enter and exit the MOA via the appropriate military gate.

R203A-B Kangaroo Flat

The R203A-B Kangaroo Flat restricted area is located south of YPDN, SFC-NOTAM. The restricted area is generally used for low-level military helicopter training operations based out of Robertson Barracks (YRBK).

R276A Darwin

The R276A Darwin restricted areas are located southwest of YPDN, NOTAM-NOTAM.

Aircraft will generally enter and exit the restricted areas via the appropriate military gate.

Affected Civil Operations

Activation of the restricted areas disrupts traffic on the J72 high altitude airway, and aircraft arriving via the WANGI STAR. Aircraft may be given an additional requirement to remain above the vertical limits of the activation, or rerouted manually to avoid the area.

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

DAE: "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

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

Arrivals

Voiceless for all aircraft:

  • With ADES YPDN; and
  • Assigned a STAR; and
  • Assigned F120

Note

When QNH falls below 980 hPa, DN TCU and TRT shall coordinate a suitable level as F120 is unavailable.

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

DN 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

ACD to DN TCU

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

Phraseology

DN ACD -> DAE: "GRFN11 requests clearance to M278A”
DAE -> DN ACD: "GRFN11, clearance approved."

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

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).