When to ask for zone transit
I always ask for type of service and zone transit on initial call. The important thing is to ask nice and early, especially if it's busy. Having visited Swanwick and Farnborough control rooms, the most frustrating thing for the controllers is when an aircraft is 2 miles from the boundary before the pilot decides to make the first call...
If the frequency is busy, try not to make your initial call too long as you'll block other calls if you pass your life history. I've lost count of the number of times I've wanted to pass urgent info to a pilot, only to be blocked by someone telling me all his details on first call.
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Heathrow
Broadly i agree, keep it short, perhaps unless the frequency is clearly not busy.
However if its really busy i simply go with xxxxx for transit, x to y. I have told the controller what i want and hopefully he will prioritise granting or denying the transit. I have also distinguished myself from traffic calling up that dont say why and some of whom doubtless dont want transits. I have also given the controller an idea of where i am, and where i want to cross.
I never entirely see the point of saying the service you would like. If its class d it only really matters to the controller whether you are ifr or vfr and neither is usually likely to be a deciding factor on granting the transit, so you can sort this out later. If its class a, its going to be svfr - given that you are unlikely to be requesting a pop up ifr transit, and if its just an atz without a class d veil then you will probably have made a full call in the first place.
So for transits of the usual busy class d suspects xxxxx for transit, x to y does the trick for me. I cant recall the last refusal other than stansted and i dont bother asking them any more unless they appear dead!
However if its really busy i simply go with xxxxx for transit, x to y. I have told the controller what i want and hopefully he will prioritise granting or denying the transit. I have also distinguished myself from traffic calling up that dont say why and some of whom doubtless dont want transits. I have also given the controller an idea of where i am, and where i want to cross.
I never entirely see the point of saying the service you would like. If its class d it only really matters to the controller whether you are ifr or vfr and neither is usually likely to be a deciding factor on granting the transit, so you can sort this out later. If its class a, its going to be svfr - given that you are unlikely to be requesting a pop up ifr transit, and if its just an atz without a class d veil then you will probably have made a full call in the first place.
So for transits of the usual busy class d suspects xxxxx for transit, x to y does the trick for me. I cant recall the last refusal other than stansted and i dont bother asking them any more unless they appear dead!
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The answer can found in CAP413 Chapter 3 as below. This has been a requirement since 2006. For those ATSU's using electronic flight strips this is of extreme benefit in order to immediately know what is required. When the ATSU replies thay may ask you to pass your message or they may only reply with their callsign which is the invitation to pass your detals.
By not including a request you increase the number of transmissions which can be very irritating in a busy traffic situations.
If you don't include a a type of service you will probably be given one such as Basic or Traffic (ATSOCAS) whilst outside controlled airspace.
Initial Call – VFR Flight
3.28 Normally, the initial call to an ATS unit should only include the minimum
information needed to establish:
1. The service that an enroute flight requires; or
2. The clearance/information that a joining or departing flight requires.
There is a very good aide memoire card from airspace safetyfor the Initial call, Pass your Details and Position Reports.GOOGLE 'R/T - Prepare your transmissions'
By not including a request you increase the number of transmissions which can be very irritating in a busy traffic situations.
If you don't include a a type of service you will probably be given one such as Basic or Traffic (ATSOCAS) whilst outside controlled airspace.
Initial Call – VFR Flight
3.28 Normally, the initial call to an ATS unit should only include the minimum
information needed to establish:
1. The service that an enroute flight requires; or
2. The clearance/information that a joining or departing flight requires.
There is a very good aide memoire card from airspace safetyfor the Initial call, Pass your Details and Position Reports.GOOGLE 'R/T - Prepare your transmissions'
Probably best to ask on the "ATC Issues" forum on PPRUNE.
I believe it varies between units but I have been told that the controllers may use different colour strips/holders for outbound, inbound and transiting aircraft etc. So if your first call gives them a clue they can start entering your detals in the correct place. How it impacts units where it is fully computerised I have no idea - hence my suggeston to ask on the ATC section.
Personally I would include "basic service and zone transit" if passing through, or "inbound to xxx" if landing in the zone. Of course if transiting when one enters the zone it becomes a control service of some sort since basic aplies only outside controlled airspace. But the controller will advise what he is giving.
I believe it varies between units but I have been told that the controllers may use different colour strips/holders for outbound, inbound and transiting aircraft etc. So if your first call gives them a clue they can start entering your detals in the correct place. How it impacts units where it is fully computerised I have no idea - hence my suggeston to ask on the ATC section.
Personally I would include "basic service and zone transit" if passing through, or "inbound to xxx" if landing in the zone. Of course if transiting when one enters the zone it becomes a control service of some sort since basic aplies only outside controlled airspace. But the controller will advise what he is giving.
