GIFFA4 Instructions

[Rudy Aguiar 1034364]

Not sure if this is the correct forum for this question but here we go.

I am new at understanding read backs from ATC, usually I understand basic instructions that are "not complicated", however, tonight i came across something that flat out stumps me and i cant find anything that helps clarify.

 

My flight plan was from KIAH to KDFW via direct GPS, DAL CTR read back or type back rather (because i did not understand verbal instructions) was GIFFA4 GIFFA CQY6. I told DAL CTR i didn't understand so he was kind enough to get me in the air and point me towards CQY6 and then guided me right into ILS 17C in KDFW.

 

Can someone please help me understand what GIFFA4 GIFFA means because i have a feeling this will come up again at some point in my travels.

[Ernesto Alvarez 818262]

its a departure procedure. if ATC asks you if you can fly that but you arent sure what it is or how to fly it, simply do as you did and say you dont know how to do it, they will vector you instead.

 

CQY6 is an arrival procedure. same as above, if you cant fly it, let them know, theyll vector you

 

if you want to learn more about those and more, i highly recommend checking out the ZLA pilot training program

http://pilotcerts.laartcc.org/page/Home

[Jason Baxter 920557]

The control was referencing a set of terminal procedures known as SIDs and STARs GIFFA4 is the name of the procedure (in codified form). These procedures are depicted on charts that are available from a number of sights such as http://airnav.com where you select the airport and it will itemize all of the procedures for the airport (runway info, instrument approaches for things such as the ILS17C, SIDs/STARs,etc).

 

Taking a look at the http://204.108.4.16/d-tpp/1008/05461GIFFA.PDF and its continuence http://204.108.4.16/d-tpp/1008/05461GIFFA_C.PDF we have both the chart and text description of the procedure, most procedures can be understood by viewing the chart, but it is important to always read the entire chart and understanding it prior to accepting a clearance, or at the very least prior to departing. From the text we ascertain that we will be [Mod - Happy Thoughts]igned a heading prior to departure (which we will fly until told otherwise) MONNT which is on the IAH 358 radial. Note that the second page also includes an altitude to maintain (4000) if it is published on the chart the controller may not restate the restrictions in the clearance. By reading back a route, including SIDs and STARs you have stated that you completely understand and will comply with the instructions on the chart as though they were issued by ATC verbatim.

 

 

Moving on to the STAR http://204.108.4.16/d-tpp/1008/06039CEDARCREEK.PDF and http://204.108.4.16/d-tpp/1008/06039CEDARCREEK_C.PDF we are again confronted by another two page procedure, and a very cluttered one. When reading a chart it is important to know when you're reading too much, one might easily be intimidated by such a large procedure at first however you are flying from GIFFA so reading only the notes pertaining to that is all that matters. In helping us find GIFFA we know we departed from the IAH area, while GIFFA isn't a transition, IAH is. So lets read the notes for the IAH transition, but we'll start at GIFFA instead.

 

"From over IAH VORTAC via IAH R-355 to GIFFA INT,then via CQY R-128 to CQY VORTAC. Thence . . . .

 

The FAA uses this word thence and the ellipses to show you should skip to the other set of ellipses for the continued information so we will byp[Mod - Happy Thoughts] the transitions and skip to the meat of the STAR.

 

. . . .ALL AIRCRAFT: From over CQY VORTAC via CQY R-309, thence:

 

There's that thence word again. From this point to the bottom of the chart it details your route based on certain circomestances, in this case what runways the airport is landing (which can be obtained from the ATIS or the controller).

 

When learning to fly published procedures it is important to remember: read everything, ask questions, and if you cannot do something, don't be afraid to say 'unable'.

[William Lewis]

The Clearance included an IFR route for you to fly for the controllers to maintain your separation and the "GIFFA4 GIFFA CQY6" is the route of which they are clearing you to fly.

 

Starting with GIFFA4.GIFFA. This is a Departure Procedure which will get you out of the Houston airspace. Since IFR is flying by Insurments and not visual with VFR it all must be charted to ensure your saftey. The last thing you would want is to be in a cloud and run into the side of a mountian. So these charted routes are there to ensure a same route of flight along with [Mod - Happy Thoughts]isting the controllers in maintaining aircraft separation. In the Rela life these charts are required to be in the aircraft for any IFR flight.

 

There are two types of charts Termianl and Enroute and there are many places to find where these are published for your use.

 

Terminal Charts available at: http://www.chartfinder.vatsim.net , http://www.airnav.com , http://www.myairplane.com , and many more

 

Enroute Charts: http://www.skyvector.com , http://www.runwayfinder.com

 

The GIFFA4 is a two page departure and can view them direct at these two links:

page 1: http://www.naco.faa.gov/d-tpp/1008/05461GIFFA.PDF

page 2: http://www.naco.faa.gov/d-tpp/1008/05461GIFFA_C.PDF

 

The first page is a visual description of the route and the second page is a text description. This departure informs you to do the following:

 

After Deparute fly the heading [Mod - Happy Thoughts]igned by the tower controller and expect radar vectors to the MONNT intersection. Maintain 4000 ft and expect your [Mod - Happy Thoughts]igned altitude within 10 minutes. After you reach MONNT join the 358 degree radial of the Humble VOR (IAH - 116.6) to BUMCO then to GIFFA. Your will see the dark lines on page one is the route of this departure. The other lines are for Refrence for aircraft that do not have GPS, RNAV, or DME so they know when they are crossing the intersection by just using the NAV radios. For the numbers on the dark lines the 4000 is a minimum altitude of which you must be at or above to fly this routing and the (10) is the distance in nautical miles between the two intersections MONNT and BUMCO for the other numbers inside the D shape with the arrow, this is the distance away from the VOR those interections are to help those using DME.

 

The .GIFFA is the Intersection of which you will exit the deparute and begin the lext leg of flight in this case the arrival into DFW with the CQY6 arrival or also know as a STAR (Standard Terminal Arrival). You will notice that the format is the same as is for all termial procedures and also enroute charts. This routing does not use any airways but longer flight typicly will with J (Jet) or V (Victor) airways which are published on the Enroute charts. Those charts are large with a ton of information but all you have to do is put the blinders on and look just for the information you need for that route and disregard the rest.

 

 

Other Key Notes: The ARTCC Boundary's are also published on the Enroute Charts so you know when you are entering an ARTCC's Airspace.

[William Lewis]

"All of the Above"

 

Jinks

 

Before i knew it was writing a book and i figured someone would beat me to it

[Rudy Aguiar 1034364]

Thank you very much for the information, just need to practice practice practice.

[Kyle Koskey 1067284]

if you want to learn more about those and more, i highly recommend checking out the ZLA pilot training program

http://pilotcerts.laartcc.org/page/Home

 

 

This is definitely a good place to start learning.