Tindal TCU

Positions

Name	ID	Callsign	Frequency	Login ID
Tindal Approach	TNA	Tindal Approach	120.950	TN_APP

Note

Tindal 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

TN TCU owns the Class C and G airspace within 30 DME TN from SFC to F190.

Restricted Area Activations

When TNA is online, the following restricted areas are activated by default, and reclassified as Class C airspace.

R249A A015-A025
R249B A025-F190

SUA in Enroute Airspace

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

Upon receiving airways clearance coordination from ACD of an aircraft intending to operate in a currently inactive SUA in enroute airspace, TN 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

CLAS35 is requesting clearance to operate in the R225D restricted area.
TN ACD -> TNA: "CLAS35 requests clearance to R225D”
TNA -> TN ACD: "Standby, call you back."

TNA -> TRS: "On the groud YPTN, CLAS35, requests activation of R225D A095-F600, from 0300 until 0500.”
TRS -> TNA: "CLAS35, expect activation of R225D A095-F600 at 0300 until 0500."
TNA -> TRS: "CLAS35."

TNA -> TN ACD: "CLAS35, clearance approved."
TN ACD -> TNA: "Clearance approved, CLAS35"

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.

Bradshaw/Delamere Active

When either the Bradshaw Field Training Area or Delamere Air Weapons Range SUAs are active, aircraft intending to operate in the R225D restricted area must be notified when given clearance.

Phraseology

CLAS35 is has departed YPTN and is approaching MOROTAI for entry to the R225D restricted area
TNA: "CLAS35, cleared R225D restricted area, number 2 in the area, area QNH 1013, Delamere Active. Advise ops normal time.”

Local Procedures

Initial Pitch Procedures

The intial points are aligned with Taxiway A at the following locations.

RWY	Initial Point	Altitude
14	3NM downwind	`A020`
32	3NM downwind	`A020`

Coded Clearances

Aircraft departing to certain defined groups of SUA may be cleared via a coded clearance.

Coded Clearance	Restricted Areas
B F M	R225D, R238, and R250
A C M	R225B, R225D, R238, and R250
Falconer	R225D, R225F, R232, R238, and R250
Western	R225A-F, and R250
Eastern	R226A and R226B

Coordination may be required with TN TCU prior to issuing clearance to an aircraft intending to operate in an SUA.

Phraseology

CLAS21 plans to operate within R226A and R226B for military training.
TN ACD: "CLAS21, cleared Eastern via MILNE, climb to F180, squawk 6003, departure frequency 120.95"

Military Gates

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

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

Intended SUA	TCU Exit Gate
R225 (and adjacent SUA)	MOROTAI TARAKAN
R226	MILNE
R238	WEDGE 1-3

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

R238 Tindal Wedge

The R238 Tindal Wedge restricted area is a minor segment in the east of the TN TMA, A035-NOTAM. Aircraft will generally enter and exit the restricted via a WEDGE military gate.

The restricted area is rarely activated in isolation as it significantly disrupts military traffic intending depart the TN TMA via the MOROTAI or TARAKAN gates, and traffic returning to base via TOP or BOTTOM gate.

R249A-B Tindal

The R249A and R249B Tindal restricted areas are contained entirely within TN TCU airspace. The areas are activated by default when TNA is online.

Stereo Approaches

In times of heavy military traffic, TN TCU may choose to nominate stereo approaches as the preferred approach method. When stereo approaches have been nominated, the ATIS APCH EXP field must be updated accordingly.

Aircraft arriving from TOP gate and BOTTOM gate will join the stereo approach at the gate; aircraft arriving from the east may be directed to join the approach via NORTH gate.

Phraseology

CLAS35 is returning from R225D via TOP gate, and has already been identified. Runway 32 is in use.
CLAS35: "Tindal Approach, CLAS35. F170 visual, for stereo approach with information A."
TNA: "CLAS35, Tindal Approach, cleared stereo approach. At 11 TACAN TDL contact Tower, 119.7"
CLAS35: "Cleared stereo approach, contact Tower at 11 TACAN TDL, CLAS35"

VFR Corridor

Katherine Helicopter Corridor

The Katherine Helicopter Corridor facilitates helicopter movement between private helipads at:

Katherine Railway Station
Springvale Homestead
Moonraker
Katherine Showgrounds
Katherine Hospital (YXAE)
Katherine Museum
Kumbidgee Lodge
Maude Creek Airstrip (YMUD)
Katherine Gorge Helipad

It extends 1NM either side of the Victoria Highway from the Katherine Railway Station to the Stuart Highway, then 1NM either side of the Katherine River north to Katherine Gorge.

Helicopters using the corridor to transit between the above approved helipads do not require explicit clearance; clearance is implied by approval to 'report airborne'.

Phraseology

XYZ: "Tindal Approach, helicopter XYZ, at Katherine Showgrounds, for Katherine Gorge."
TNA: "XYZ, Tindal Approach, report airborne."
XYZ: "Wilco, XYZ."

Helicopters intending to use the corridor to access any other location need to receive explicit clearance.

Phraseology

DEF: "Tindal Approach, helicopter DEF, at Katherine Showgrounds, for the Katherine Country Club."
TNA: "DEF, Tindal Approach, cleared via helicopter corridor, not above A010. Report airborne."
DEF: "Cleared helicopter corridor, not above A010, wilco, DEF."

Victoria Highway Corridor

A VFR lane is available following the Victoria Highway, allowing aircraft to transit underneath the R250 restricted area from north to south (or vice versa). It follows the Victoria Highway southwest of Katherine and is wholly contained within the D209 danger area SFC-A025. A clearance is not required to track via the corridor.

Direction	Routing	Altitude
Northbound	WAYS WILE RESC	`SFC-A025`
Southbound	RESC WILE WAYS	`SFC-A025`

Aircraft intending to enter TN CTA require a clearance once clear of the lane.

Phraseology

ABC: "Tindal Approach, ABC, Cessna 172 at RESC, A015, for YPTN, received A."
TNA: "ABC, Tindal Approach, squawk 0412, remain outside controlled airspace."
ABC: "Squawk 0412, remain outside controlled airspace, ABC."

TNA: "ABC, identified, cleared to YPTN direct, maintain A015, QNH 1013."
ABC: "Cleared to YPTN direct, maintain A015, QNH 1013, ABC."

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(TRS) CTA must be Heads-up coordinated by TN TCU prior to the boundary.

Phraseology

TNA -> TRS: "CFH29, request DCT YDLW"
TRS -> TNA: "CFH29, concur DCT YDLW"

Arrivals/Overfliers

Voiceless for all aircraft:

Tracking via TN; and
Assigned the lower of F130 or the RFL.

All other aircraft coming from TRT(TRS) CTA will be Heads-up coordinated to TN TCU.

TN ADC

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

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

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

ACD to TN TCU

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

Phraseology

TN ACD -> TNA: "CLAS35 requests clearance to R225D”
TNA -> TN ACD: "CLAS35, clearance approved."

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).