Things to remember when flying to RPHI [Manila]?

[Romano Lara]

Read: http://phils.vatsimatc.com/forum/index.php?topic=156.msg872#new

 

Regarding the non-radar service, please refer to the image below.

 

 

Manila has 3 SSR, situated at Laoag, Tagaytay and Mt. Majic, Cebu [LAO, TAALA, MCT]. Therefore there are limited radar coverage within RPHI FIR therefore, procedural control will be used for areas not covered by radar.

 

What to expect?

 

ATC will terminate radar services upon exiting the area(s) covered by radar (see the image above), however, you are not to leave the frequency. (e.g. "Cathay 4-6-1, at position MAVRA, radar services terminated, maintain FLxxx, report ATBUD.")

 

This simply means, you are over MAVRA, radar services will be terminated, maintain FLxxx, report at ATBUD (basically, a position report).

 

..what should be the contents of our position reports?

 

As defined by the CAAP (Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines), a position report shall contain the following elements:

 

1. Aircraft identification

2. Position

3. Time

4. Flight Level or Altitude

5. Next position and time over

 

"Manila Control, Philippine 1-0-0, is over ATBUD FLxxx, estimating MAVRA at 16:30."

 

OR

 

"Philippine 1-0-0, is three zero DME on the MCT three two zero radial, level one six zero, estimating your station at 16:30."

 

--

Transition altitude in Manila is 11,000' while the transition level is FL130.

 

Transition altitude in Mactan is 11,000' while the transition level is FL130.

--

 

 

So how about traffic out of radar coverage?

 

If the aircraft is not within the radar covered area, they can still be contacted via VHF, therefore procedural control will be applied.

 

DISCLAIMER: I am not speaking on behalf of Philippines vACC, but rather as a controller of the vACC. This is solely under the controller's discretion if he/she wishes to simulate the realworld procedures and the limited radar coverage.

 

However, if incase I will be your controller, you can expect this.

 

ADDITIONAL: What if Mactan Control (RPVM_CTR)? Mactan Control is providing ONLY radio service for flights operating at or below FL280 as described in this page. Therefore, everything is again, procedural (non-radar). Flights operating at or above FL280 will be handled by Manila ACC South (or Manila Control). Refer to the image below:

 

 

 

 

 

--Manila TMA procedures, what to expect?

 

In Manila, the terminal/en-route controller will most likely ignore your filed SID as vector to the departure gate is preferred. Not sure why they do this, but that's what they do in the real-world facility as discussed to us by one of our real-world pilot member in RPHI FIR.

 

But you can still file them, just in case.

 

Let's say you filed for LIP2E, etc. ATC will give your clearance like this:

 

"Cebu 8-4-3, cleared to Mactan, via IPATA B462 MBT W8 MCT. Climb and maintain level 130 until further advised, runway heading on departure, expect radar vectors to IPATA, squawk XXXX."

 

Once airborne, you can expect a call from the controller with something like "Cebu 8-4-3, turn left proceed direct IPATA." Regardless of traffic volume within the Manila TMA, vectoring or direct to fix is preferred by the radar controllers. (real world)

 

But REMEMBER! This is only in Manila though, in Mactan and other airports within the Philippines, you must still fly the departure as published unless you're told by the controller to expect vectors.

 

-Courtesy of Snappy Justo of Philippines vACC for this valuable information.

 

 

 

 

 

For more information regarding the procedures implemented by the real world facility, please visit: http://www.philskies.net/library/vatphil/about.htm or check this thread for details, explained by Peter Binamira (VATSEA2).

 

Questions shall be directly addressed in this thread or visit our forums at http://phils.vatsimatc.com/forum/index.php

 

Blue skies!