Initial Call transiting Class D
 

Good evening.

I've just returned back to FI(A) work after a 9 year break.

Looking at CAP413, what in practical terms would a busy ATCO really prefer from a light aircraft wishing to transit their Class D airspace VFR? (Other than 180, please!)

C/S
Squawking
Request Zone Transit

...then Position/Time & FL/Alt/Hgt, ETA boundary, Departure & Destination, Service desired.

Would that be enough?

Thank you for your time.

Sounds all right to me.

Might be helpful to state your preferred route.

Eg in Edinburgh zone: Kelty - Bridges - Polmont.

Also say if you're VFR or IFR.

Radar, GABCD requesting traffic service, zone transit.

That gives me enough info to know what squawk to allocate to you. Once allocated a squawk you can then pass your details including routing, IFR/VFR etc.

'Service desired' is superfluous; if you're cleared through you'll be told 'radar control' when you enter.

How is it superfluous? He’s going to want a service outside controlled airspace as well before he gets a clearance to enter.

At one of the units I provide radar for, there is no requirement to allocate a discreet squawk to transit aircraft under certain circumstances. So if I have a basic service outside which requires a zone transit I may allocate that aircraft my conspicuity squawk (depending on the traffic situation and circumstances of the transit).

However, if that same aircraft is wanting a traffic service outside and a zone transit, I will issue a discreet squawk.

So again, requesting a zone transit and informing me what service you require outside is my preference, especially when busy. It most certainly is not superfluous.

“Bigtown Radar, GABCD, request traffic service and (VFR/IFR) zone transit” would be music to my ears. Then I could manage the RT load by asking your full details, requested route, issuing a squawk, clearance, and any further info needed, at an appropriate time to fit in around other transmissions.

My only other request would be please, please don’t broadcast your life story on first contact!

A variety of responses, from various controllers who aim to maintain safety in a number of control zones.
If you’re going to be transiting a particular control zone a lot I’d recommend either visiting the tower or picking up the phone to them for a chat. For instance, it’s good to know IFR traffic patterns and usual altitudes for each runway in use, practical altitudes for your transits, and to see (if you have the opportunity) what it looks like from the controller’s perspective.
It’s good for controllers too, to get a better understanding of what your requirements are.

FWIW on a first call a direction of transit is useful to me e.g. request a north-south transit via XXX. Any others find this useful?

Not always and not all 'Zone' controllers are prepared to provide ATSOCAs as well as their primary task.

What other service would the aircraft receive when in controlled airspace? It does not refer specifically to separation.

2 s

In which case, "Basic Service" would be specified but the pilot should still make an appropriate request. By the way, the term ATSOCAS went out with the ark - despite the fact that Editor CAP413 does not realise that! ;-)

2 s

That's a vfr clearance, the aircraft would still be under a radar control service (or an approach control service if in CAS from a non radar unit)

Packer 27L.

I like that.

Thank you all.

Oh. The Class D in question is Aberdeen.

Yeah I see what your saying now, I was thrown by you saying procedural clearanc, then giving a vfr clearance, which i wouldn't give as an example of a procedural clearance, I'd just call it a clearance

Your saying it's not guaranteed to be RCS on entering CAS? If so I agree it's whatever Control service the ATCO can provide be it Approach or Radar.

Further to chevrons statement above, what controllers don't provide services to traffic joining their zone? How do they handle the traffic before it enters controlled airspace?

Only thing I’d add to all the above is please keep it brief and think about what you’re saying before you say it! Around London especially, it’s not unusual to have several jets on headings that will shortly take them outside.

Oh, and if we say ‘Identified’, we know where you are. Don’t worry about telling us again!