View Full Version : AMS arrival through TOPPA
Flap40
15th Oct 2002, 22:01
A question. The TOPPA STAR plate for AMS says to expect FL250 at TOPPA. So why do we always get cleared "230 level TOPPA" by London? I know BLUFA and REDFA are 230 but TOPPA is 250.
Any clues???
edit for spelling!
NBanker
16th Oct 2002, 18:29
No mystery there - it's because the Swanwick MATS (Manual of Air Traffic Sevices) Part 2 for the North Sea Sector says:
"The following levels are to be applied to traffic transferred between S33 [the ATC sector controlling the route into TOPPA] and Amsterdam ACC:
Eastbound FL230 Level TOPPA RFD [released for descent] FL210 after passing MULIT"
Why there should be a difference between the ATC instructions and your STAR chart I don't know but it may be worth you contacting the provider to point out the plate does not reflect actual ATC procedures.
NB
Radar
17th Oct 2002, 05:58
Flap40
As an additional piece of info. FL250 at Toppa is Maastricht airspace. Since the AMS traffic is co-ordinated between LACC and Amsterdam, descent to FL230 keeps the aircraft within the relevant airspace.
Cheers
Lon More
21st Oct 2002, 19:32
FL 250 is in the Maastricht Airspace, however is delegated to Amsterdam after/abm BERGI for departures Amsterdam FIR subject to co-ordination with London; in other words being used as a westbound level,
This saves on co-ordination for tfc climbing above the division level as otherwise it would climb to FL240, than a release would have to be obtained from 240 to FL250, as 245 can be used in an emergency, and then a further release above FL250 from Maastricht.
Sounds complicated but it goes back to when Maastricht took over the Dutch UIR and considerable time and effort was spent by some in Amsterdam and Den Haag to make life difficult
Nice one Lon.....Maastricht management (AMS) rules !!!!!