during the Christmas season me and some other FG enthusiasts happened to control northern Italy regularly – and as we enjoyed it, we agreed to provide you regular ATC service every weekend.
Thus, we are pleased to announce the start of a new project: the Northern Italy ATC Controlled Area (NIATCA).
Airports marked blue are manned; we are searching for volunteers for the red marked fields.
Routes between manned fields are marked yellow, other suggested routes are marked green.
Map copyright © OpenStreetMap contributors
This is the schedule we came up with. Please note that all the times given below are approximate and subject to availability: always check Lenny’s website for exact times and dates.
Samedan (LSZS), Switzerland
Position manned by: TP (callsign: LSZS_TW)
Approximate times: on weekdays
Aerodrome type: civilian
ATC available via: text
Charts: http://platinumairways.org/files/LSZSCharts.pdf, http://www.engadin-airport.ch/fileadmin/user_upload/VFR_Area_Karte-ICAO.pdf, http://www.engadin-airport.ch/fileadmin/user_upload/Sichtanflugkarte-ICAO.pdf, http://ch.ivao.aero/ba_cms/public/index.php?cmd=smarty&id=108_lfr, http://ch.ivao.aero/ba_cms/public/index.php?cmd=smarty&id=109_lfr
Remarks:
- The conformation of the surrounding terrain requires pilots to perform VFR flights. The control tower is able to guide the aircraft progressively.
- It is strongly suggested to read the special pilot briefing (http://www.engadin-airport.ch/fileadmin ... IEFING.pdf), especially pages 3, 7-10, 14, 23-25, 30, 36.
- The field is not suitable for heavy aircraft.
- Normally, no night operations are permitted.
Milano Malpensa (LIMC)
Position manned by: ISS96 (callsign: ISSlimc)
Approximate times: on Saturday (in the afternoon, approx. 13 UTC, see Lenny's website)
Aerodrome type: civilian
ATC available via: text, FGCom (120.90, fgcom.flightgear.org), Mumble (mumble.allfex.org)
Charts:
Verona Villafranca (LIPX)
Position manned by: elgaton (callsigns: LIPX_TW, I-ELGA, LIPXfm)
Approximate times: Saturday evening (1930-2300 UTC – to be confirmed as I applied for a ground position at EHAM as well), Sunday afternoon from time to
time
Aerodrome type: civilian and military
ATC available via: text; Mumble (mumble.allfex.org)/FGCom (118.65, fgcom.flightgear.org) at ATC discretion
Starting positions: Civilian aircraft: apron at the northeastern side, Military aircraft: use any of the “loops” northwest of the runway. As the starting positions
are not in the scenery database, please start FlightGear and vacate the runway before connecting to the multiplayer server.
Charts:
Remarks:
- Transition level: FL060.
- When departing from runway 22 to the North or East (ADOSA5U/VIC5U/VABOK5U/KOPER7U/FER7U/BOA7U SIDs), the first turn after the initial climb (at
PX502) should be made to the left, not to the right – pay attention as most autopilots perform the turn in the wrong direction. - ILS equipped aircraft strongly recommended in winter (thick fog is often present).
- Follow me assistance available.
- Custom scenery (still incomplete!) is available from http://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=21576.
Aviano Air Base (LIPA)
Position manned by: Maverick (callsign: USAF_AV)
Approximate times: Saturday afternoon (1400-1700 UTC), Sunday (1600-1800 UTC), sometimes on weekdays (between 1700 and 1830 UTC)
Aerodrome type: military
ATC available via: text, FGCom (112.100, fgcom01.flightgear.org)
Starting positions: apron or runway 05
Charts: http://skyvector.com/airport/LIPA/Aviano-Airport, http://worldaerodata.com/wad.cgi?id=IT49911&sch=LIPA
Remarks:
- Transition level: FL070.
- No civilian aircraft is accepted as this is an American military air base.
- Suggested aircraft: F-16, C-130, C-17, F/A-18, C-5M, E-3B, KC-135
- For more information, see the official Web site of the air base: http://www.aviano.af.mil
Trieste-Ronchi dei Legionari (LIPQ)
Position manned by: Maverick (callsign: FVG_ATC)
Approximate times: Saturday afternoon (1400-1700 UTC)
Aerodrome type: civilian
ATC available via: text, FGCom (130.20, fgcom01.flightgear.org)
Starting positions: apron or runway 27
Charts: http://skyvector.com/airport/LIPQ/Trieste-Ronchi-Dei-Legionari-Airport
Remarks:
- For more information, see the official Web site: http://www.aeroporto.fvg.it
Venezia Tessera (LIPZ)
Position manned by: RIO-IT (callsign: RIOlipz)
Approximate times: in the evening
Aerodrome type: civilian
ATC available via: text
Charts:
Remarks:
- For more information, see the official Web site: http://www.veniceairport.it
Remarks common to all aerodromes:
- You are expected to:
- know your aircraft well (that is, how to start up, taxi, takeoff, maintain an assigned altitude/heading and land);
- execute ATC instructions timely and read them back;
- know basic ATC phraseology (see the FlightGear wiki, the VATEUD pilot training pages or the Cross Country Tutorial II).
- Check flightgear-atc.alwaysdata.net before flying as the schedule detailed here may change. All our official sessions will be listed there.
- You are also encouraged to file a flightplan on Lenny’s website.
- Real life procedures will be followed: please consult the charts before flying.
- Avoid connecting to busy multiplayer servers as they may introduce heavy latencies! Visit the MPServer status page and choose an online server near you and with few clients connected.
Volunteers needed!
We are also looking for volunteers who can volunteer at other ATC positions, namely Torino (LIMF), Genoa (LIMJ), Milan Linate (LIML), Bergamo (LIME), Treviso (LIPH), Innsbruck (LOWI), Bologna (LIPE), Bolzano (LIPB). Candidates are required to:
- know ATC phraseology;
- know the English language (knowledge of Italian is a plus);
- be able to read charts and to let pilots follow real SIDs/STARs;
- be able to man their position(s) at least one/two hours a week.