airport guide to greenland - vatsim...

2015

Airport Guide

to Greenland

1

Introduction The Reykjavik CTA covers over 5.5 million square kilometres of airspace between Scandinavia &

Canada and the North Atlantic to the North Pole. Within this airspace lie three countries: Iceland,

Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Together, they offer the VATSIM pilot limitless opportunities for

flying. Whether you’re an explorer, a shuttle-flyer or a long hauler, there’s bound to be an airport

ready to cater to your needs.

This guide is designed to be read together with the Pilot Guide to the Reykjavik CTA.

Note! When looking up charts for more remote airports, you may find that many charts are missing,

such as SIDs or STARs. If in doubt, look into the text document of the airport to find further

information, particularly on SIDs and circuit direction.

Phraseology examples are only provided for some airports. If the airport you’re flying to/from does

not have an example, check out the phraseology in a similar airport (e.g. see another AFIS airport for

AFIS phraseology).

BGSF – Kangerlussuaq Søndre Strømfjord Airport – Semi-AFIS Kangerlussuaq Airport (Søndre Strømfjord in Danish), is the principal international airport of

Greenland. Its single long runway can handle all aircraft sizes and it regularly sees flights to/from

Iceland, Europe and North America, acting as the hub airport for Air Greenland domestic and

international operations.

BGSF_TWR | BGSF_APP | BGGL_FSS | BICC_FSS | BIRD_W_CTR | BIRD_CTR

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Runways

09 (arrivals) / 27 (departures)

Parking

Apron North – Scheduled Flights | Apron East/West – All other traffic

Clearance

International Departures: You will receive an IFR oceanic clearance with a series of directs routing

through our airspace, an initial climb, a mach number and a squawk. Please either file your

requested mach number in your flight plan (use the format MxxxFxxx e.g. METIL/M078F330) or

include it in your request for clearance.

Domestic Departures: If TWR/APP are online, you will receive an IFR clearance together with the

weather information for Kangerlussuaq. Be prepared to receive a very long transmission. For the

readback, you must repeat the entire clearance, but you can acknowledge the weather information

by simply stating the QNH.

If only BGGL_FSS is online, you will depart at your discretion via the standard instrument departure.

Taxi

Taxi will always be via apron and backtrack, unless the controller chooses to specify otherwise.

If BGGL_FSS is providing the service, taxi will be at your discretion.

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Departure

Follow the charts and report at the requested altitude. If BGGL_FSS is providing the service, this will

be at your discretion.

Arrival

This depends on the traffic situation at the airport. Standard arrivals will fly overhead SF NDB before

joining a particular approach sequence for either the ILS or a visual. As all services are procedural,

the controller or information officer will request regular position reports (e.g. report reaching

5000ft, report overhead SF, report final approach track etc…).

Example – GRL782 – International Departure

BGSF > EKCH | ATC: BGSF_TWR, BGSF_APP, BIRD_CTR, UNICOM

Søndrestrøm Tower, Greenland 782 is an A330 on stand 2, requesting oceanic clearance to

Copenhagen, request FL390 and mach decimal 80.

Greenland 782, Søndrestrøm Tower, standby

BGSF_TWR coordinates with BICC_FSS

Greenland 782, I have your clearance, are you ready to copy?

Affirm, Greenland 782

Greenland 782, wind 060 degrees 10 knots, clouds few 7500ft, scattered 11000ft, broken

13000ft and 20000ft, visibility 10 km or more, temperature minus 8, dewpoint minus 11,

QNH 994, cleared to Copenhagen via runway 27 direct 67N040W, 67N030W, 66N020W,

65N010W, VALDI, initial climb FL250, mach decimal 80, squawk 1561.

Cleared to Copenhagen via runway 27 direct 67N040W 67N030W 66N020W 65N010W

VALDI, initially FL250 and mach decimal 80, squawk 1561, QNH 994, Greenland 782

Greenland 782, readback correct, startup and pushback at your discretion, report ready for

taxi.

Push and start at my discretion, wilco, Greenland 782.

Greenland 782 is ready for taxi.

Greenland 782, taxi to holding point runway 27 via A.

Taxi to holding point runway 27 via A, Greenland 782.

When approaching hold…

Greenland 782, winds 060 degrees at 10 knots, runway 27, cleared for takeoff.

Runway 27 cleared for takeoff, Greenland 782.

When airborne…

Greenland 782, contact Søndrestrøm Approach on 126.200.

Approach on 126.200, Greenland 782.

Søndrestrøm Approach, Greenland 782 departed Kangerlussuaq passing 2000ft for FL250.

Greenland 782, Søndrestrøm Approach, roger, identified, report passing FL190.

Wilco, Greenland 782.

Passing FL190, Greenland 782.

Greenland 782, roger. Contact Reykjavik Control on 119.700.

Reykjavik Control on 119.700, Greenland 782.

Reykjavik Control, Greenland 782 passing FL200 for FL250, inbound 67N040W.

Greenland 782, Reykjavik Control, identified, climb FL390, direct VALDI.

Climbing FL390, direct VALDI, thanks, Greenland 782.

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Cruising… when nearing VALDI…

Greenland 782, monitor UNICOM 122.800, bye bye.

Monitor UNICOM 122.800, bye! Greenland 782.

Example – GRL543 – Domestic Departure

BGSF > BGGH | ATC: BGSF_TWR, BGGL_FSS

Søndrestrøm Tower, Greenland 543 is Dash 8-200 requesting departure information to

Nuuk.

Greenland 543, Søndrestrøm Tower, wind 040 degrees 7 knots, few clouds 2000ft, visibility

10 kilometres or more, temperature minus 17, dewpoint minus 20, QNH 1004, cleared to

Nuuk via runway 27 direct SF W25 NUTKA QT, FL180 and squawk 1501.

Cleared to Nuuk via SF W25 NUTKA QT, FL180, squawk 1501 and QNH 1004, Greenland 543.

Greenland 543, readback correct. Push and start at your discretion, report ready for taxi.


Ready for taxi, Greenland 543.

Greenland 543, taxi to holding point runway 27 via A.

Taxying to holding point runway 27 via A, Greenland 543.

When turning around…

Greenland 543, after departure report position to Søndrestrøm Information on 121.300.

Surface winds 040 degrees at 7 knots, runway 27, cleared for takeoff.

Will report to Søndrestrøm Information on 121.300, runway 27 cleared for takeoff,

Greenland 543.

Søndrestrøm Information, Greenland 543, airborne from Kangerlussuaq, altitude 1500ft

climbing FL180.

Greenland 543, Søndrestrøm Information, roger, report reaching FL180 and NUTKA.

Will report reaching FL180 and report at NUTKA, Greenland 543.

Greenland 543 reaching FL180, time 1230z.

Greenland 543 roger FL180 at 1230z.

Readback correct, Greenland 543.

Overhead NUTKA at time 1240z, Greenland 543.

Greenland 543 copied NUTKA 1240z.


Greenland 543, next report leaving FL180, runway 05 for arrivals at Nuuk, no traffic.

Wilco, and roger runway 05, Greenland 543.

Søndrestrøm Information, Greenland 543 leaving FL180.

Greenland 543, roger, report passing 8000ft, QNH 1014.

Will report passing 8000ft, QNH 1014, Greenland 543.

Passing 8000ft, Greenland 543.

Greenland 543 roger, report final runway 05.

Will report final runway 05, Greenland 543.

Greenland 543 on final runway 05.

Greenland 543, wind 090 degrees at 3 knots, runway 05, land at your discretion.

Land at my discretion, Greenland 543.

Greenland 543, taxi at your discretion, no traffic.

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Taxying at my discretion, Greenland 543, bye!

Example – GRL169 – Iceland Arrival

BIRK > BGSF | ATC: BIRD_CTR, BGGL_FSS

(For full flight see BIRK in Airport Guide to Iceland)

Cruising... When about 150nm from BGSF…

Greenland 169, when ready, descend FL190, report passing FL200.

When ready, descend FL190, will report passing FL200, Greenland 169.

Greenland 169 passing FL200.

Greenland 169 roger, contact Søndrestrøm Information on 121.300.

Søndrestrøm Information on 121.300, Greenland 169.

Søndrestrøm Information, Greenland 169 at FL190, 50nm east of 67N050W estimating

1205z, SF thereafter.

Greenland 169, Søndrestrøm Information, roger FL190, estimating 67N050W at time 1205z,

SF thereafter.


Greenland 169, continue descent at your discretion, runway 09 in use for arrivals at

Kengerlussuaq, report position at 67N050W.

Continue at my discretion, runway 09, wilco, Greenland 169.

When overhead 67N050W…

Greenland 169 with position report.

Greenland 169, go ahead.

Overhead 67N050W at time 1204z, FL120, estimating SF at time 1213z, Greenland 169.

Greenland 169, position at 67N050W at 1204z, FL120, estimating SF at 1213z.


Greenland 169, traffic is an arriving Air Iceland overhead SF at 1203z, and Air Greenland

departed westbound from runway 27 at 1202z. Report altitude when overhead SF.

Roger inbound Air Iceland and outbound Air Greenland traffic, will report altitude when

overhead SF, Greenland 169.

When overhead SF…

Greenland 169 at 5000ft overhead SF.

Greenland 169, roger. Air Iceland has now landed and vacated to Apron North. Report final

runway 09.


When on final…

On final runway 09, Greenland 169.

Greenland 169, surface winds 170 degrees at 6 knots, runway 09, land at your discretion.


Greenland 169, taxi at your discretion to Apron North.

Taxi at my discretion to Apron North, Greenland 169, bye!

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BGBW – Narsarsuaq Airport – AFIS Narsarsuaq Airport is southern Greenland’s international airport, serving communities on the south

coast and in particular, Qaqortoq, the largest town in the region. The airport regularly receives traffic

from Iceland, as well domestic flights to other Greenlandic fields.

BGBW_I_TWR | BGGL_FSS | CZQX_FSS | BICC_FSS

Runways

07 (arrivals) / 25 (departures)

Parking

Apron – All traffic

Clearance





This clearance may be obtained from Gander Radio if local ATC is not online. Please note, Iceland

Radio does not directly cover oceanic clearances out of BGBW, and as such, you should only make

contact if you plan on flying northwards towards Iceland or Canada.

Domestic Departures: You will depart according to the standard instrument departure out of BGBW.

The controller will ask for altitude reports as you climb out of the area.

7

Taxi

Taxi will be at your discretion.

Departure

Departure will be at your discretion. Report at the requested altitudes.

Arrival

Approach will be at your discretion. Remember to report at the points requested by your AFIS

officer. Runway 25 is not recommended for approach unless visual with the airport due to high

terrain.

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BGGH – Nuuk Airport – AFIS Serving the capital city of Greenland, Nuuk Airport is primarily a domestic airport, which transfers

international passengers to Kangerlussuaq or Narsarsuaq for onward international flights. Direct

flights to Iceland are also available from here.

BGGH_I_TWR | BGGL_FSS | BICC_FSS | BIRD_W_CTR | BIRD_CTR

Runways

05 (departures) / 23 (arrivals)

Parking


Clearance





Domestic Departures: You will depart according to the standard instrument departure out of BGGH.


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Taxi


Departure


Arrival


officer.

Example – GRL543 – Domestic Arrival

BGSF > BGGH | ATC: BGGL_FSS

(For full flight see BGSF section)

In cruise…

Greenland 543, next report leaving FL180, runway 05 for arrivals at Nuuk, no traffic.

Wilco, and roger runway 05, Greenland 543.

Søndrestrøm Information, Greenland 543 leaving FL180.

Greenland 543, roger, report passing 8000ft, QNH 1014.

Will report passing 8000ft, QNH 1014, Greenland 543.

Passing 8000ft, Greenland 543.

Greenland 543 roger, report final runway 05.

Will report final runway 05, Greenland 543.

Greenland 543 on final runway 05.

Greenland 543, wind 090 degrees at 3 knots, runway 05, land at your discretion.


Greenland 543, taxi at your discretion, no traffic.

Taxying at my discretion, Greenland 543, bye!

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BGKK – Kulusuk Airport – AFIS Kulusuk serves as the main airport for East Greenland. It handles both international flights to

Iceland, and domestic flights to the Greenlandic capital of Nuuk. The mountains and fjords of East

Greenland provide a spectacular backdrop for your flights.

BGKK_I_TWR | BGGL_FSS | BICC_FSS | BIRD_W_CTR | BIRD_CTR

Runways

11 / 29

Parking


Clearance





Domestic Departures: You will depart according to the standard instrument departure out of BGKK.


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1b/Kulusuk_Runway.JPG

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Taxi


Departure


Arrival


officer.

Example – GRL123 – Domestic Departure

BGKK > BGBW | ATC: BGKK_I_TWR, BGGL_FSS

Kulusuk Information, good afternoon, Greenland 123 at the apron, request departure

information to Narsarsuaq Airport.

Greenland 123, Kulusuk Information, hello sir. Wind is 150 degrees at 7 knots, few clouds at

3000ft, visibility 10 km or more, temperature minus 1 degree, dewpoint minus 2 degrees,

QNH 1012, runway 11 in use, departure at your discretion.

Roger, QNH 1012, runway 11, departure at my discretion, Greenland 123.

Greenland 123, readback correct. Push and start at your discretion, report ready for taxi.

Push and start at my discretion, wilco, Greenland 123.

Greenland 123 is ready for taxi.

Greenland 123, taxi at your discretion, suggest hold short of runway due to departing

company aircraft.

Taxying at my discretion, will hold short, Greenland 123.

Greenland 123, surface winds 150 degrees at 7 knots, runway 11, takeoff at your discretion.

Taking off at my discretion, Greenland 123.

Greenland 123 is airborne passing 1500ft.

Greenland 123, roger, report position to Søndrestrøm Information on 121.300, have a nice

flight!

121.300 for Greenland 123, bye!

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BGJN – Ilulissat Airport – AFIS Ilulissat Airport is a significant airport on the west coast of Greenland, handling tourist traffic to the

UNESCO World Heritage Site “Jakobshavn Isfjord”, as well as serving communities around the Disko

Bay area.

BGJN_I_TWR | BGGL_FSS | BICC_FSS | BIRD_W_CTR | BIRD_CTR

Runways

07 / 25

Parking


Clearance





Domestic Departures: You will depart according to the standard instrument departure out of BGJN.


Taxi


Departure


Arrival


officer.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0e/Ilulissat-airport-runway.jpg

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BGQQ – Qaanaaq Airport - AFIS Qaanaaq is the northernmost airport in Greenland and the lifeline for remote communities in the

high arctic. It was established due to the fact that civilian traffic is not allowed to use the nearby

Thule Air Base on a regular basis. At 77°29’19” N, the airport is well within reach of the North Pole.

BGQQ_I_TWR | BGGL_FSS | BICC_FSS

Runways

18 (departures) / 36 (arrivals)

Parking


Clearance

You will depart according to the standard instrument departure out of BGQQ. The controller will ask

for altitude reports as you climb out of the area.

Taxi


Departure


Arrival


officer.

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BGTL – Thule Air Base Thule is the world’s northernmost US Air Force base, and is located near Qaanaaq in far north-

western Greenland. VATSIM ATC services at Thule are rare and the airport is governed by US military

procedures as opposed to Icelandic-Greenlandic procedures. However, top down coverage is

available through BGGL_FSS, which will assume an AFIS role when covering the airport.

BGTL_TWR | BGTL_APP | BGGL_FSS | BICC_FSS

Runways

08 / 26

Parking


Clearance





Domestic Departures: If TWR/APP are online, you will receive a domestic IFR clearance in the same

style as Kangerlussuaq (BGSF). See that section for more information. If only BGGL_FSS is online, you

depart at your discretion.

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Authors and Contributors Wygene Chong

Director of Reykjavik CTA

Henry Weber

Greenland Adviser

Casper Hvid

Greenland Controller

Torben Andersen

Iceland Radio Controller

airport guide to greenland - vatsim...

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